The first part of this article presents Paweł Garwaski’s career (from the mid-sixteenth century to 1618), that started from the Płock office of land recorder (from 1588). His example led to an initial analysis of the careers of persons who obtained the court offices of: podkomorzy (succamerarius), land judge (judex terrestris), land vice-judge (subjudex terrestris), and land recorder (notarius terrestris) during the period 1588–1600. This analysis showed that the most decisive factors for obtaining a court office were: social background from a noble estate, family connections, material status, political activity (earlier functions in parliament or dietine), military service, and support of a patron. Higher education did not play a significant role, even though there are examples of at least a dozen persons, who began university studies in Poland or abroad. Legal practical experience or acknowledged legal skills by the local noble society were much more important. even most of the nominees for court office or at least a significant part, had these kinds of professional qualifications. However, it must be stated, that due to scattered and incomplete sources and early stage of research, the results are far from conclusive. In addition, the European background of the time was sketched, i.e. requirements and conditions of judges’ careers in England, France, and Castile.
