of Peace Courts, and on the other the Regular
Tribunals. Both sections contained an Ordinary Court and a Court of
Appeal. The upper part of the building, covering equally both sections,
was the Senate as Supreme Court of Revision (Cour de Cassation).

The distinctive character of the two independent sections may be
detected at a glance. The function of the Justice of Peace Courts is
to decide petty cases that involve no abstruse legal principles, and to
settle, if possible by conciliation, those petty conflicts and disputes
which arise naturally in the relations of everyday life; the function of
the Regular Tribunals is to take cognisance of those graver affairs in
which the fortune or honour of individuals or families is more or less
implicated, or in which the public tranquillity is seriously endangered.
The two kinds of courts were organised in accordance with these intended
functions. In the former the procedure is simple and conciliatory, the
jurisdiction is confined to cases of little importance, and the judges
were at first chosen by popular election, generally from among the local
inhabitants. In the latter there is more of "the pomp and majesty of
the law." The procedure is more strict and formal, the jurisdiction is
unlimited with regard to the importance of the cases, and the judges are
trained jurists nominated by the Emperor.

The Justice of Peace Courts received jurisdiction over all obligations
and civil injuries in which the sum at stake was not more than 500
roubles--about 50 pounds--and all criminal affairs in which the legal
punishment did not exceed 300 roubles--about 30 pounds--or one year of
punishment. When any one had a complaint to make, he might go to the
Justice of the Peace (Mirovoi Sudya) and explain the affair orally,
or in writing, without observing any formalities; and if the complaint
seemed well founded, the Justice at once fixed a day for hearing the
case, and gave the other party notice to appear at the appointed time.
When the time appointed arrived, the affair was discussed publicly and
orally, either by the parties themselves, or by any representatives
whom they might appoint. If it was a civil suit, the Justice began by
proposing to the parties to terminate it at once by a compromise, and
indicated what he considered a fair arrangement. Many affairs were
terminated in this simple way. If, however, either of the parties
refused to consent to a compromise, the matter was fully disc