Sudovi dobrih ljudi u Boki Kotorskoj u vreme austrijske vladavine

Abstract

During the Austrian Empire, at the end of 18th and 19th century, and centuries before that, inhabitants of Boka Kotorska settled their disputes before courts of good people, which were applying the customary law. The civil trials were in the competence of the autonomous units, like during Venetian time. Criminal trials were in the competence of Austrian authorities, although they often assigned those disputes to the courts of good people. Courts of good people were rendering judgments based on the customary law, applying religious customary concepts and fines. These courts had a goal to establish peace between natives who were in conflict, and that was beneficial for Austrian authorities. The judgments were drafted in Serbian language, in Cyrillic alphabet, and were translated to the official Italian language and notarized before competent authorities.