ABSTRACT
The Ngwato system, like the general social organization of the tribe, is somewhat more complicated than those of other tribes. In Serowe itself there are three official grades of court: the ward court; the sectional court, presided over by the headman of the senior ward in the section; and the Chief's court. The new features are the sectional courts and the courts of the Chief's representatives. The tribal-community courts found among the Ngwato correspond roughly to the village courts of most other tribes. There are also regimental courts, which deal with offences committed in connexion with initiation 'schools', regimental duties, or the relations between members of different regiments. The manner in which legal proceedings are initiated depends upon the nature of the case. When a civil wrong has been committed, the first legal duty of the parties concerned is to attempt a settlement of the matter out of court.
