pretor

In Rome under the Republic there was divided between the pretor and the judex the power to decide controversies.

However, a man could put away his wife at will, and by recording the fact with the nearest pretor, the act was legalized.

The Romans issued marriage-licenses, but before doing so a pretor passed on the fitness of the candidates for each other.

The pretor had other duties, but the judex was confined to the single duty to hear and determine.