If an accusation did not result in a verdict in a qadi's court, the plaintiff could often pursue it in another type of court called the "mazalim" court, administered by the ruler's council. The rationale for "mazalim" (lit. wrongs, grievances) courts was to address the wrongs that Sharia courts were unable to address, including complaints against government officials. Islamic jurists were commonly in attendance and a judge often presided over the court as a deputy of the ruler. "Mazalim" verdicts were supposed to conform to the spirit of Sharia, but they were not bound by the letter of the law or the procedural restrictions of qadi's courts.