Podsędek (Latin: 'subiudex'; literally: sub-judge) was a judicial position in the history of Poland and Grand Duchy of Lithuania. The role and importance of this official varied over time.[1] [2] [3]
In early Poland, it was an official at the prince's house court (sąd dworski, in curiae).[1]
From the 14th century it was a deputy (but not a subordinate) of a land judge. [1] [4]
In Napoleonic Poland (Duchy of Warsaw) the position of podsędek was that of a court clerk and notary combined in (lower courts). His duties included handling the cases which amounted to the "acts of goodwill": sale/purchase contracts, inheritance, power of attorney, marriage/divorce, etc.[5]