He insists that the whole people must share in the administration of justice--in public causes they are to take the first step, and the final decision is to remain with them.

In private suits they are also to retain a share; 'for the citizen who has no part in the administration of justice is apt to think that he has no share in the state.

For this reason there is to be a court of law in every tribe (i.e.for about every 2,000 citizens), and the judges are to be chosen by lot.' Of the courts of law he gives what he calls a superficial sketch.

Nor, indeed is it easy to reconcile his various accounts of them.

It is however clear that although some officials, like the guardians of the law, the wardens of the agora, city, and country have power to inflict minor penalties, the administration of justice is in the main popular.