Exodite Courts
As Exodus has expanded and its population increased, the need for a formalized conflict resolution system has become apparent. While Ministers had broad powers, illegal commands or those totally contradictory to the council's intent weren't unheard of. Furthermore, elves of the same rank or elves not directly in the same chain of command sometimes had disputes.
As a result, ministers began to appoint judges within their territories to pronounce on disputes, and soon the profession of a judge was formalized, and courtroom procedure began to develop. In essence, judges have the task of determining if an action violated the law. in Exodite culture, violations are viewed not as a violation against the individual, but a violation against the state. Thus, the Judges are generally concerned with corrective measures against the violator, and redress for a possible victim is generally left for the consideration of a minister with oversight over local resources.
The ministers interpret law as laid out by the council. Precedent is not binding upon them, but the judges confer with eachother to ensure consistent rulings. There is no formal appeals procedure for the decisions of a judge, and decisions generally stand unless the judge is removed by their superior, in which case someone who had a judgement enforced against them may be able to have another day in court.
In resolving a dispute, judges have the authority to act as finders of fact. Judicial procedures can last a long time as the judge (and their assistants in complex cases) investigates and interviews involved parties. Anyone who wishes to do so is expected to make their own case to the judge; there is no legal representation.
Operating in the governorates in Khely has added another complication to the judges' work. As the Exodites have deposed local authorities and taken over their responsibilities, the judges have also had to pronounce upon human disputes. They have also come upon the realization that Khelish view crime as a matter between individuals more than a matter of the state. As a result, judges in Khely have also begun to draw on precedent from traditional Khelish law when there is no Exodite law that applies to the situation.
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