Abstract: the article discusses the main stages of the formation and development of traditional justice in the territory of the Republic of Abkhazia. The author notes that Abkhazians have a distinctive judicial system before joining the Russian Empire. This system consisted of three courts operating on the basis of customary law and, albeit limited, sharia. After joining Russia, a third source of Russian laws appeared. Following the abolition of the Abkhaz principality in Abkhazia, Russian courts are beginning to be established. The revival of traditional justice occurs in the period when the Soviet government destroys the old royal court system, but still does not have time to create its own. When the Soviet judicial system is formed, customary law and Sharia law are again denied. The last stage of the restoration of the national justice system in Abkhazia occurs during the collapse of the USSR and the war with Georgia.
Keywords: Republic of Abkhazia, traditional justice, people’s justice, Council of elders, quasi-court, customary law, Sharia