=XXIX.= _The Judge, when Inquired of by a Party, should be able to give a Reason for His Decision._ =XXX.= _Concerning the Punishment of Judges who Appropriate the Property of Others._ =XXXI.= _Concerning those who Treat the Royal Order with Disdain._ =XXXII.= _How the Judge should Inquire into Causes by the Ordeal of Hot Water._ =I. When Amended Laws should come in Force.= In assigning their place to laws which have been amended, we have considered it proper to give them the most important tank, for, as clearness in the laws is useful in preventing the misdeeds of the people, so obscurity in their provisions interferes with the course of justice. For many salutary edicts are drawn up in obscure and contradictory language, and are instrumental in promoting the controversies of litigants; and, while they should put an end to chicanery, they, in fact, give rise to new sophisms and abuses. For this reason, therefore, litigation increases; disputes between parties are encouraged; the judges become undecided, so that, in attempting to dispose of false claims and charges, they are unable to form definite conclusions, as all seems perplexed and uncertain. And because all questions which arise in suits at law, cannot be disposed of in a few words, except those which have been determined in our presence; we have decided that certain laws should be amended in this book; that doubtful matters should be made clear; that profit should be extracted from those things that are evil; clemency from those that are mortal; clearness from those that are obscure; and that perfection should be given to those that are incomplete; whereby the people of our kingdom, whom our peaceful government alone restrains, may be checked and controlled, hereafter, by the aid of said amended laws. And therefore, these laws as amended, and approved by us, and our new decrees, as set forth in this book and its titles, as well as such as may be subsequently added, shall be enforced from the second year of our reign, and the twelfth Kalends of November, and shall be binding thereafter upon all persons subject to our empire, irrespective of rank. Those laws, however, which we have promulgated against the offences of the Jews, we decree shall be valid from the date when they were confirmed by us. =THE GLORIOUS FLAVIUS RECESVINTUS, KING.= =II. The Royal Power, as well as the Entire Body of the People, should be Subject to the Majesty of the Law.=