Legal Definitions - low justice

Low justice is a historical legal term referring to the authority of a local lord, magistrate, or community body to administer justice over minor offenses and disputes within their jurisdiction. This power typically involved cases that did not carry the death penalty or severe corporal punishment, distinguishing it from "high justice," which dealt with more serious crimes like murder, treason, or major felonies.

Examples of low justice in practice include:

• Imagine a medieval village where a local baron held the right to settle disputes among his tenants. If one peasant accused another of letting their livestock graze on their crops, causing minor damage, the baron's court would hear the case. The judgment might involve a small fine, restitution for the damaged crops, or a public reprimand. This illustrates low justice because it involves a minor civil offense, a local authority, and a non-capital punishment.

• Consider a historical town council in the 16th century that had the power to enforce local ordinances. If a baker was found to be selling bread that was underweight, the council might impose a small monetary penalty or require them to provide free bread to the poor for a day. This scenario exemplifies low justice as it concerns a minor regulatory infraction, handled by a local governing body, with a limited, non-severe punishment.

• In a feudal manor, if two serfs had a disagreement over the ownership of a lost tool, the manorial court, presided over by the lord's steward, would mediate and decide the rightful owner. The resolution would be binding but would not involve any severe penalties beyond returning the item or perhaps a small fee. This demonstrates low justice by showing a minor property dispute resolved by a local, limited authority without recourse to major legal consequences.