Kumyks - Sociopolitical Organization

Government and the judiciary were based on both adat (common law) and Sharia (Quranic law). Most cases involving murder, wounding, beating, theft, arson, adultery, abduction, false witness, lawsuits, and the like were decided on the basis of adat. Quranic law applied to cases concerning wills, guardianship, the purchase and sale of slaves, the division of property, and marital questions. Common-law court was presided over by experienced and influential elders from among the aristocracy and free peasantry ( uzden ), whereas Quranic law was executed by religious judges ( qadis ). There was also an arbitration court, the judgment of which was considered final. In addition to witnesses, jurors played a major role in the judicial process, especially when the cases were to be decided on the basis of suspicion. If the criminal was not known, informers were used in the investigation. The decisions could be changed by the feudal authorities or the czarist administration. The communal assembly of the men gathered for important matters.