The East India Company was granted authority over administration of justice in its territories through several charters and agreements. The 1600 charter allowed the Company to establish laws for self-governance but did not mention territories or factories. The 1623 commission explicitly authorized punishment on Company lands. The 1661 charter expanded this, allowing governors and councils to judge all civil and criminal cases in factories. The important factory in Surat was established in 1612 as a commercial and populous center, and the Mughal firman of 1615 recognized the Company's authority to govern itself under its own laws in disputes. A dual legal system operated without clear territorial jurisdiction.

1. Administration of justice In Presidency Towns Settlement in Surat

3. KING’S COMMISSION 24TH JAN 1601 POWER TO ISSUE COMMISSION GRANTED TO THE COMPANY ON DEC 1615. TO PUNISH OFFENCES COMMITTED ON LAND, A COMMISSION WAS ISSUED ON 1623.

4. CHARTER OF 1661 ON APRIL, 3 1661, CHARLES II GRANTED A NEW CHARTER TO THE COMPANY AUTHORIZING THE GOVERNOR AND COUNCIL OF EACH FACTORY TO JUDGE ALL PERSONS IN ALL CAUSES, CIVIL OR CRIMINAL.

6. SURAT FACTORY MOST IMPORTANT FACTORY INITIALLY. IMPORTANT COMMERCIAL CENTRE. POPULOUS TOWN. INTERNATIONAL PORT. 1612 ESTABLISHED FACTORY AT SURAT.

8. Sir Thomas Roe

9. 1615 Sir Thomas Roe went to Jahangir’s Court

10. MUGHAL FIRMAN COULD LIVE ACCORDING TO THEIR OWN RELIGION AND LAWS. DISPUTES COULD BE SETTLED BY THEIR OWN PRESIDENT. MUGHAL GOVERNOR AND QAZIS WERE ALSO DIRECTED TO DO SPEEDY JUSTICE.

11. LAW AND JUSTICE DUAL SYSTEM OF LAW. NO CONCEPT OF TERRITORIAL LAW. RELIGIOUS CHARACTER OF MUSLIM LAW. CORRUPTION.