1,191. Going to a Secular Court

181:3 In a society governed by secular law, if the other party in a dispute is being inflexible, one should try to bring him before a Jewish court first. If the other party refuses, one should obtain permission from the beis din to defend his interests in the secular court.

181:4 If one is sued for money that he has in his possession, he is not permitted to try and get out of paying in order to force a compromise in which the other party forgives a portion of his debt. If one utilized this unscrupulous tactic, his sin will not be forgiven until he gives the other party that which is rightfully his.