Legal disputes

In the event of disputes, the people of Regensburg could primarily have recourse to the Schultheißengericht (magistrate court) or to the Propstgericht (provost's court). Wachtengerichte (Watch courts) heard neighbourhood matters. Disputes between Jews were dealt with by the Jewish court, which sat in the synagogue. Disputes between Christians and Jews were usually heard by the "Judengericht" (literally: "Jew court").

In 1340, the Regensburg schultheiß (magistrate) Albrecht der Zant sat in judgement. The case being heard was a dispute about a house, the Rohrer Herberge, in Taubaer Strazz street, which is now Pfauengasse. The provost of the monastery of Rohr, Ulrich III, and Eysakch von Straubing appeared before the court. Through their "Vorsprecher" (court representatives), they stated their position on the claims to the Rohrer Herberge, which was located close to the Jewish quarter. After submission of a number of documents, the magistrate court ruled in favour of the monastery.

The "Judengericht" sat on 14 August 1453 in the schulhof of the Jewish quarter. Schultheiß Conrat Gräfenrewter presided. The Noble Jacob von Aw zu Prennberg called on the Jew Mair, son of Mosse, to reveal the sum that he had received for the redemption of a promissory note, for Hainrich Paulstorffer now held said promissory note and was demanding the money from Jacob von Aw. When requested by the court, Mair specified the sum and asked the court for written confirmation – in other words the document here – that he had provided the desired information.

Together with the schultheiß sat the "Hausgenossen" (lay assessors). In this case, these numbered four Christians and four Jews. The note on the back in Hebrew letters reads: "Gerichts Händel entschieden im Schulhof" (Court business decided in the schulhof).