From arbitration courts to honour and civic courts – extrajudicial conflict resolution on Polish territories in the 19th century

Abstract

The study presents courts, which worked out-of-court jurisdiction on Polish territories through the 19th century. These courts were usually arbitral courts, which amicably resolved individual problems such as contractual or inheritance cases. Honour courts, which also worked at the time, were originally involved only in establishing principles of armed duels, but at the end of the 19th century they often tried honour cases in a more reasonable and peaceful way. A.different role belonged to civic courts – investigating whether Polish people acted fairly in the public arena. Civic courts’ activity remains still not analysed in sufficient degree and needs further research.