| Abstract: |
In recent years, the United States has championed a growing number of court cases seeking to recover looted Khmer antiquities on the American art market and repatriate them to Cambodia. Both governments have argued these artefacts are—and have always been—Cambodian state property. However, no court has yet to rule on this specific issue, thus making it a worthwhile exercise to revisit the law of medieval Cambodia. What do we know about legal institutions in the Angkorian era? Who owned land, temples, and their treasures? Who resolved disputes? This chapter seeks to begin answering these questions by synthesising what is known of Angkorian law, with a focus on ownership and property. It will discuss ancient Cambodia’s legal system, including the role of the king, the judicial system, court proceedings, the laws enforced, and punishments. This overview demonstrates that the law, encompassing both rights and obligations, was complex and yet adaptable.
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