Religion played a fundamental role in the ancient Egyptians understanding and development of law, their concept of ma’at led to it. The purpose of law was to maintain ma’at on earth. The legislation and the application of law rested on the pharaoh, according to his divine origin.

The Egyptian word for law is hp, which translates to rule, regulation, habit, rite, ceremony, cycle. Nt is translated as custom. The underlying idea of these terms is the recurrence, embodied by the cosmos and the behavior of earthly beings.

Both nt and hp are related to the concept of Ma’at (goddess) which literally means “the one who steers, the embodiment of the cosmic order”, and ma’at justice, truth and balance, which is why both supposedly existed from the beginning of time.

Even though, no law code has been found and it appears that the ancient Egyptians didn’t have specific legal terminology or categories, as today, there is proof that law existed and that legal ideas and concepts were applied as early as the Old Kingdom.

The most fundamental elements of ancient Egyptian jurisprudence was the importance of justice which included elements of balance, harmony, fairness, and impartiality, and tradition, which included elements of custom and precedent.

The ultimate authority in the settlement of disputes was the pharaoh, his decrees were supreme. The next most powerful man was the vizier, he directed administrative branches of the government, sat in judgment cases and appointed magistrates. Van Blerk, T. Wilkinson, R. Jasnow