"[...] Since these fines or compositions, paid to avert revenge, required some adjudication of offenses and damages, a third step towards law was taken by the formation of courts; the chief or the elders or the priests sat in judgment to settle the conflicts of their people. Such courts were not always judgment seats; often they were boards of voluntary conciliation, which arranged some amicable settlement of the dispute. For many centuries, and among many people, resort to courts remained optional; and where the offended party was dissatisfied with the judgment rendered, he was still free to seek personal revenge."
Will Durant, Story of Civilization, Vol.1: Our Oriental Heritage, Ch.3, Pt.III, 1935 (bold added)
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