Narada is known as the author of Smriti text (code of conduct). The first three chapters of Narada Smriti are about judicial role (Vyavahara Matrika) and about judicial meetings. Vyavahara means ‘give and take’ (Udyoga Parva of Mahabharata). According to Apastamba Dharmasutra, another meaning of the word is struggle or lawsuit (Artha, Karya, Vyavaharapada.
In Narada Smriti, there are about 1028 slokas which describe the nature of civil and criminal law and also explain the proper function of a judicial authority.
According to Narada, when people are righteous and truthful, there is no need for rules and regulations. When the righteous spirit declines, the rule of law based on dharma is necessary and the king is responsible for ensuring justice.
According to Vyavahara Matrika of Narada, to ensure free and fair justice, at least three judges should be appointed, and the will assist the chief justice. The king should decide according to the advice of the judges.
Disobedience of the rule of the land or king, killing a man or woman, abortion, hurting by harsh words, and maligning another’s wife are some of the crimes mentioned in Vyavahara Matrika of Narada.