XXXII. How the Judge should Inquire into Causes by the Ordeal of Hot Water.

We are aware that many persons assert that they have received injuries at the hands of freeborn citizens; and it is our opinion that torture should be applied in such instances, where an amount exceeding three hundred solidi is involved; and we now declare this to be a salutary measure, and decree that whenever crime has been committed by any one, where a small amount of property is concerned, the ordeal by hot water be instituted by the judge; and should the accused appear to be guilty, the judge shall not hesitate to put him to the torture, and after confession has been obtained, he shall inflict upon the criminal the sentence of the law provided in such cases. If, after the test, he should prove to be innocent, his accuser shall incur no reproach whatever. This test shall also be applied to suspicious persons who present themselves in court to give testimony against others.[8]

TITLE II. CONCERNING CAUSES.

I.No One can Refuse to Answer because the Plaintiff has Never Presented his Claim to Him.
II.The Court must be Disturbed by no Clamor or Tumult.
III.Where there are Many Litigants, Two may be Chosen who shall have Power to carry on the Suit.
IV.Both Parties may be Compelled by the Judge, or the Bailiff, to be Present in Court on the Day when the Case is to be Heard.
V.Those whose Affairs have been brought before a Tribunal for a Decision, shall, under no Circumstances, enter into a Compromise before the Case has been Decided.
VI.Both Parties shall be Required to Furnish Testimony.
VII.Concerning the Journey which any one Compels an Innocent Person to Make.
VIII.Where any one Residing in the District of one Judge has a Cause of Action against a Party Living in the District of another Judge.
IX.Concerning Those who Venture to Defend the Suits of Others.
X.No Freeman shall Refuse to Answer the Slave of another in Court.

FLAVIUS RECESVINTUS, KING.

I. No One can Refuse to Answer because the Plaintiff has Never Presented his Claim to Him.

No one can interpose a defense to the action of any plaintiff by saying that the latter has no right to bring a suit, because he has not made formal demand upon him for his claim, unless he can show that the time within which the suit may be brought, has expired.

FLAVIUS CHINTASVINTUS, KING.

II. The Court must be Disturbed by no Clamor or Tumult.

The court shall not be disturbed by any tumult or clamor whatever; those who have no interest in the case shall be compelled to withdraw; and only such as are known to be concerned in the proceedings shall come into the presence of the court. But if the judge desires spectators to be present, he can permit it, in case he should wish to confer with them about the case. But if he should be unwilling, no one shall be allowed to enter the court room, either to aid one party by improper suggestions, or to interpose objections to the conduct of the other, whereby either party may be unnecessarily annoyed. And if any one, having been admonished by the judge to be silent, should not obey, nor desist in his attempts to aid either party, and should, in defiance of this warning, continue to interfere, he shall be compelled to pay ten golden solidi to the judge. And if he should still persist in his conduct, he shall be unceremoniously ejected from the court.