On the Judicial Powers of Jewish Authorities
“The Jews, who live under Roman common law, shall address the courts in the usual way in those cases which do not concern so much their superstition as court, laws and rights, and all of them shall bring actions and defend themselves under the Roman laws; in conclusion, they shall be under our laws. Certainly, if some shall deem it necessary to litigate before the Jews or the patriarchs through mutual agreement, in the manner of arbitration, with the consent of both parties and in civil matters only, they shall not be prohibited by public law from accepting their verdict; the governors of the provinces shall even execute their sentences as if they were appointed arbiters through a judge’s award.
All the Jews, who are known to be Romans, shall litigate before the Heads of their religion only on what concerns the discipline of their religion, so that they shall observe among themselves what was established by the Hebrew laws. All the other matters, however, which are covered by our laws and pertain to the court, shall be determined by the governor of the province according to the common law. Certainly, if the two parties shall consent and wish to litigate before the Heads of their law, in civil matters only, and the process shall be terminated by an arbitration award based on a mutual agreement, the award shall be recognized as if it was established by a judge’s order.”