Xeer is the traditional legal system of Somalia, and one of the three systems from which formal Somali law draws its inspiration, the others being civil law and Islamic law.[5] It is believed to pre-date Islam, although it was influenced by Islam and retains the faith elements, the proceeding under rule pre-date islam. Under this system, elders, known as the xeer begti serve as mediator judges and help settle court cases, taking precedent and custom into account.[6] Xeer is polycentric in that different groups within Somali society have different interpretations of xeer.