Mîrî Kâtibi Court in the Ottoman financial organization

This thesis examines the mîrî kâtibi institution and his court which emerged due to the changes undergone during the economic transformation period of the Ottoman Empire. This institution, which is the subject of a detailed investigation for the first time, was analyzed by using case records reflecting the issues referred to the court. These records were examined within the framework of debt and audit issues. In terms of the organizational structure, mîrî kâtibi, who worked under the Rumelia kazasker, would scrutinize the financial operations legally if he was appointed and attempt to rule the appropriate verdict on the financial problems concerning the state. It is observed that the issues relevant to the court of the mîrî kâtibi are mostly related to the operations of the başbâki kulu which is a state's debt collector. If the exceptions are omitted, the location used as a court place is the başbâki kulu's office. The matters that were addressed in the court of mîrî kâtibi are usually related to the economic elements of the period such as confiscations, tax farming, and other financial matters. This court is also closely concerned with the petition right. If the claimant was not the state, the individuals could express their demands and complaints regarding financial transactions and these legal allegations were endorsed to the başbâki kulu and mîrî kâtibi on the condition that it was truly necessary. In this way, people from all levels of society could legally verbalize their demands from the state or individuals. In the mentioned manner, the legal oversight of the başbâki kulu was provided. Keywords: Mîrî kâtibi (state clerk), başbâki kulu (head servant of unpaid debts), central finance, court, debt, petition right