The Constituent created a new judicial system. Each administrative level had a corresponding tribunal – in the canton, the juge de paix – in which judges were elected by citizens. Who were these new judges that were not required to have an y knowledge of the law ? Officers of the Old Regime, men of the law, labourers, merchants… How did they fare during the revolutionary period ? Was their position all the more delicate since they were elected officials, like the political personnel, and indeed often held political posts themselves ? This did not prevent them from becoming professionals in judicial matters and notables during the Consulat.