Kholopii Prikaz

(also Prikaz Kholop’ia Suda), a central state institution in Russia from the 16th to early 18th centuries. The Kholopii Prikaz registered the various types of kholopy (slaves), handled the liberation of individual kholopy, conducted administrative proceedings concerning fugitive kholopy, and settled arguments about ownership. The first recorded reference to the Kholopii Prikaz dates from 1571.

During the 17th century the Kholopii Prikaz registered legal documents concerning feudal hire and the transfer of propertyless debtors to their creditors in order to work off their debts. In 1681 it was merged with the Moscow Sudnyi Prikaz (high court), but in 1683 its autonomous status was restored. The prikaz was abolished in 1704. Still in existence is the ukaznaia kniga (record book) of the Kholopii Prikaz that records legislation concerning the kholopy for the period from 1597 to 1620.