JUSTICE DISPENSATION

Type of Adjudication

Palace Court

Highest formal court. Heard serious crimes, difficult disputes, and appeals. The king gave the final decision.

Led by Abba Gaba. Settled debt, ownership, theft, and market-right disputes. Appeals went to Abba Mizan.

Led by the Khadi in the mosque compound. Handled marriage, divorce, inheritance, and family matters under Islamic law.

Oromo customary court. Elders and councils used dialogue, reconciliation, and custom to settle community disputes.

The Palace Court handled serious crimes, difficult disputes, and major appeal cases.

Palace judges investigated cases, heard witnesses, and guided the legal process.

Counselors, elders, and knowledgeable officials could advise during important cases.

The king was the highest authority and made the final decision in major cases.

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The Market Court solved problems about debt, theft, ownership of goods, market rights, and fights.

Abba Gaba, the “father of the market,” kept peace and security in the marketplace.

Abba Gaba heard both sides, listened to witnesses, and then gave a decision.

If people disagreed, they could appeal to Abba Mizan, the trade official or “father of the balance.”

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The Religious Court was led by the Khadi, an Islamic judge knowledgeable in the Qur’an and Islamic law.

It mainly solved marriage, divorce, inheritance, guardianship, and household disputes.

Cases were usually heard in a religious setting, often within or near the mosque compound.

The Khadi listened to both sides, considered evidence and witnesses, then gave decisions according to Islamic law.

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The Gada Court was based on Oromo traditions, customs, and community laws.

Respected elders listened to disputes, advised both sides, and guided the decision-making process.

The main goal was not only punishment, but restoring peace, agreement, and harmony in the community.

It mainly solved community and domestic conflicts through dialogue, witnesses, and customary arbitration.

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