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Arbitrage and episcopalis audientia have been studied by jurists and law historians following legal sources. However, Christians’ understanding of these specific forms of justice, their application and their efficacity, as showed in Eastern Christian literature during the 4th century, have never been investigated. This contribution outlines distinctive features of private justice known by the Christians in the 4th century according to Basil of Caesarea. Basil represents a very important source because he was himself a bishop and, as such, also a judge. Moreover, his role of metropolitan bishop of Cappadoce, his reputation in the Christian world, his friendships and his pragmatic approach made him a witness and often an actor of many conflicts, in his province or even far from his land.