Kuji could broadly be classified into three categories such as honkuji, kanekuji and nakamagoto, and after receipt of petition, bugyo or daikan (local governor) who were supposed to handle the trial determined which category it corresponded to.
公事には大きく分けて本公事（ほんくじ）と金公事（かねくじ）、仲間事の3つに分けることが出来、訴状が受理された後に審理にあたる奉行・代官がそのいずれにあたるかを判断した。