A governmental body, headed by a governor, existed on the world of Ord Mantell from its earliest days. As the population and criminal activity on the planet increased, the governors of Ord Mantell knowingly overlooked illicit actions within the public markets, accepting bribes in return. The Mantellian courts served as the judicial branch within the planet's government. These courts recognized the rights of bounty hunters operating on the planet, seeing them as a type of law enforcement that fit with Ord Mantell's permissive attitude. During the time the Imperial regime controlled the sector, the governors and Mantellian courts took bribes from the Empire to suppress rebellious actions occurring on the planet.