Changes

70:11.6 [[Law]] is a codified [[record]] of long [[human]] [[experience]], [[public]] [[opinion]] crystallized and legalized. The [[mores]] were the raw [[material]] of accumulated [[experience]] out of which later ruling [[minds]] [[formulated]] the [[written]] [[laws]]. The [[ancient]] [[judge]] had no [[laws]]. When he handed down a [[decision]], he simply said, "It is the custom."[http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Book_of_Judges#Chapter_11]

70:11.6 [[Law]] is a codified [[record]] of long [[human]] [[experience]], [[public]] [[opinion]] crystallized and legalized. The [[mores]] were the raw [[material]] of accumulated [[experience]] out of which later ruling [[minds]] [[formulated]] the [[written]] [[laws]]. The [[ancient]] [[judge]] had no [[laws]]. When he handed down a [[decision]], he simply said, "It is the custom."[http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Book_of_Judges#Chapter_11]

70:11.7 [[Reference]] to [[precedent]] in [[court]] [[decisions]] [[represents]] the [[effort]] of [[judges]] to adapt [[written]] [[laws]] to the changing conditions of [[society]]. This provides for [[progressive]] [[adaptation]] to altering [[social]] conditions combined with the impressiveness of [[traditional]] [[continuity]].

70:11.7 [[Reference]] to precedent in [[court]] [[decisions]] [[represents]] the [[effort]] of [[judges]] to adapt [[written]] [[laws]] to the changing conditions of [[society]]. This provides for [[progressive]] [[adaptation]] to altering [[social]] conditions combined with the impressiveness of [[traditional]] [[continuity]].

70:11.8 [[Property]] [[disputes]] were handled in many ways, such as:

70:11.8 [[Property]] [[disputes]] were handled in many ways, such as:

*1. By destroying the disputed [[property]].

*1. By destroying the disputed [[property]].

*2. By [[force]]—the [[contest]]ants fought it out.

*2. By [[force]]—the [[contest]]ants fought it out.

*3. By [[arbitration]]—a third party decided.

*3. By [http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Arbitration arbitration]—a third party decided.

*4. By [[appeal]] to the elders—later to the [[courts]].

*4. By [[appeal]] to the elders—later to the [[courts]].

70:11.9 The first [[courts]] were regulated [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fisticuffs fistic] encounters; the [[judges]] were merely umpires or [[referees]]. They saw to it that the fight was carried on according to approved rules. On entering a [[court]] combat, each party made a deposit with the [[judge]] to pay the costs and fine after one had been defeated by the other. "Might was still right." Later on, verbal [[arguments]] were substituted for [[physical]] blows.

70:11.9 The first [[courts]] were regulated [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fisticuffs fistic] encounters; the [[judges]] were merely umpires or [http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Referees referees]. They saw to it that the fight was carried on according to approved rules. On entering a [[court]] combat, each party made a deposit with the [[judge]] to pay the costs and fine after one had been defeated by the other. "Might was still right." Later on, verbal [[arguments]] were substituted for [[physical]] blows.

70:11.10 The whole [[idea]] of [[primitive]] [[justice]] was not so much to be [[fair]] as to dispose of the [[contest]] and thus prevent [[public]] disorder and [[private]] [[violence]]. But [[primitive]] man did not so much resent what would now be regarded as an injustice; it was taken for granted that those who had [[power]] would use it selfishly. Nevertheless, the [[status]] of any [[civilization]] may be very accurately determined by the thoroughness and equity of its [[courts]] and by the [[integrity]] of its [[judges]].

70:11.10 The whole [[idea]] of [[primitive]] [[justice]] was not so much to be [[fair]] as to dispose of the [[contest]] and thus prevent [[public]] disorder and [[private]] [[violence]]. But [[primitive]] man did not so much resent what would now be regarded as an injustice; it was taken for granted that those who had [[power]] would use it selfishly. Nevertheless, the [[status]] of any [[civilization]] may be very accurately determined by the thoroughness and equity of its [[courts]] and by the [[integrity]] of its [[judges]].