The Law Code of Bṛhaspati 1.1.94

1.1.94

gaṇaiś ca śreṇy avijñātaṃ gaṇājñātaṃ niyuktakaiḥ /
kulādibhyo 'dhikāḥ sabhyās tebhyo 'dhyakṣaḥ smṛto 'dhikaḥ //

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).

Judges are superior in authority to (meetings of) kindred and the rest; the chief judge is placed above them; and the king is superior to all, because he passes just sentences.