Verbal audience: fast trials in the Modern Age

Abstract

The judicial procedure of the Verbal Audience in the Modern Age was a highly interesting system. The viceroy was the one in charge of imparting justice. However, the alter nos had to be assessed by one of the judges from the Valencian Royal Audience. The causes liable to be judged by these procedures were very specific, and most of them had economic motives like unpaid debts. It is notorious that the main accused and condemned by this system were mostly members of the nobility, which makes it another reason for this juridical procedure to be so interesting.