The Law Code of Bṛhaspati 1.1.93

1.1.93

kulaśreṇigaṇādhyakṣāḥ proktā nirṇayakārakāḥ /
vicārya śreṇibhiḥ kāryaṃ kulair yan na vicāritam //

When a cause has not been (duly) investigated by (meetings of) kindred, it should be decided after due deliberation by companies (of artizans); when it has not been (duly) examined by companies (of artizans, it should be decided) by assemblies (of co-habitants); and when it has not been (sufficiently) made out by such assemblies, (it should be tried) by appointed (judges).