The Law in Macedonia in the Middle Ages According to the Law on Judging People

Abstract

When discussing the law in medieval Macedonia, it is clear that in the early years of the Middle Ages, it was underdeveloped and relied heavily on customary law. Without significant changes, customary law would sometimes transition into written law and vice versa. A significant influence on the law in medieval Macedonia was undoubtedly the Law on Judging People, one of the most renowned historical sources of Slavic law, believed to have been created in the second half of the 9th century or the early 10th century. There is no dispute over the fact that this legal document was modeled on and represents an adaptation of specific articles from Chapter XVII of the Byzantine Ecloga. The Law on Judging People primarily contains criminal law but also includes provisions of private and procedural law. During this period, this code was the main written document that, together with unwritten customary law, constituted the legal framework in medieval Macedonia. Naturally, Byzantine law was also applied in Macedonia at that time. However, with the creation of the Law on Judging People, this law was implemented in Macedonia, and it can be said that it was a much more lenient and tolerant law compared to all previous laws in Byzantium. The Law on Judging People regulated the legal system in this region and, together with customary law, determined punishments. The original manuscript of this document has not been preserved.