Main Goals of Brevic Law

To keep the status quo of the noble families first, and keep peace and prosperity in the realm. The law, comprised of a blend of tradition and royal edicts, tends to be harsh but pragmatic, with an emphasis on settling the matter quickly and directly (letting the punishment fit the crime), compensating any victims, and moving on. Establishing this trend is why Choral the Conqueror was respected, as well as feared, for he conquered everyone in Brevoy, and under his rule, there was an unprecedented measure of equality under the law for both high- and low-born.

The main philosophy on punishing crime is generally "as you have done unto others, so shall be done unto you" (payment for theft, punch for punch, blood for blood, etc). Serious crimes are typically punished by death, while more minor ones warrant fines, flogging, and/or public humiliation. There isn't much of a prison system, and what few dungeons and gaols exist are typically mere temporary holding cells until the accused can stand trial.

The actual nobles of Brevoy tend to be stubborn and impulsive, but not even the King's every whim automatically becomes law. Respect for tradition is strong in Brevoy (whose tradition is another question entirely), and even a lord would be wise to cite an example of his predecessors as justification before issuing a decree or committing to a course of action ("as my honored ancestor, Ailas Dawnwhisper taught us in his great deeds, we must temper justice with mercy").