Page:The kingdom and people of Siam - with a narrative of the mission to that country in 1855 (IA b29352447 0001).pdf/204

 CHAPTER V. LEGISLATION. THE following short notice of the constitution of the judicial establishments and of the laws of Siam was furnished to me from a native source. But, in a country where the authority of the sovereign is absolute, it is obvious that the organization of the tribunals and the protecting power of legislation can afford but very inadequate security, should the supreme royal will at any time supersede the ordi- nary course of justice. To a great extent, also, the power of interfering with the action of the tribunals is possessed and exercised by the high nobles, accord- ing to their rank and influence. Any party having a complaint to prefer does so before the San Luang (San, building; Luang, king). This court is presided over by "K'un Li Támarat" and "K'un cha san;"-these officiate alternately for fifteen days. They take down the complaint in writing, and hand it over to the LUK K'UN. This tribunal is composed of four Luang* and eight assessors. Their business is to examine the com- plaint that has come down from the San Luang. If they consider that it is a fit and proper case for trial, *The nobility are graduated in the following order:-Somdets; Chau Paya; Paya; Pra; Luang; K'un.