In the house of Krivosudov, the chairman of the Civil Chamber, lieutenant colonel Pryamikov and the interrogator Dobrov meet. Pryamikov says that his neighbor, Pravolov, started a process against him. Dobrov pities Pryamikov: after all, Pravolov is a “cunning fool,” “an evil yabednik.” He is already adept in such matters, he knows how to “turn out decrees” and give a bribe to a judge. Krivosudov, a notorious bribe taker, prosecutor and secretary, matched him, members of the chamber - one almost illiterate, a stutter, and the other a gambler who thinks only about cards. Dobrov advises Pryamikov to resort to bribes. But Pryamikov does not want to give money to the judges: he relies on his innocence and on the law: "The law supports me and the shield."

Here, in the house of Krivosudov, the courts take place. “Our chairman put a chamber in his house, buying a fee from the treasury,” explains Dobrov. The teller tells us that today the name of the owner of the house and the conspiracy of his daughter, Sophia.

Pryamikov is thrilled by this news. He has long been in love with Sophia. They met in Moscow, where the girl was brought up by her aunt. Leaving for war, Pryamikov said goodbye to his beloved. When he returned, a lawsuit awaited him. I still haven’t seen straight people after Sophia’s separation.

Anna Krivosudova’s servant tells Pryamikov that Sophia loves him, but that she will be extradited as another against her will. Sophia appears, and Pryamikov gladly learns that we really love her. Krivosudov enters the room. Pryamikov tells him about his process and asks for Sophia’s hands. Krivosudov on both issues invites him to wait. When Pryamikov leaves, Krivosudov expresses his dissatisfaction with this matchmaking. He wants a son-in-law who knows how to make money. But Kryvosudov seems to be Pryamikov, although he is rich, but he does not know how to save money. Dobrov gives Krivosudov cases that have long been resolved. But the judge does not want to sign anything without a bribe.

From Pravolov they bring gifts in honor of Krivosudov’s name day. The judge invites Pravolov to dinner. Attorney Pravolova, Naumych, starts a speech about Pryamikov. And Krivosudov said that he had already "wiped it out" and "got it from his hands."

Talking with his wife, Krivosudov notes that Pravolov’s case is not bad with a lawsuit against Pryamikov. But the wife, Thekla, convinces her husband that such a law can be found to solve the case in favor of Pravolov. Krivosudov talks about the matchmaking of Pryamikov. Theokla is indignant. She wants to marry her daughter to Pravolov. True, Sophia does not love him, because he is old and not handsome, but his mother does not care about this: he is endured - he will fall in love.

Pravolov, who came to Krivosudov for dinner, consults about his affairs with Naumych. The judges are already bribed, the front witnesses are ready, the eavesdroppers are assigned to Pryamikov ... In general, everything is ready. However, some of the old affairs of Pravolov have already reached the governor. But Pravolov hopes that friendship with Krivosudov will save him. He’s not going to marry Sophia: he considers her a fool, “who doesn’t know the parish with expense”.

Secretary of the Civil Chamber Kokhtin brings Pravolov joyful news: it turns out that Bogdan Pryamikov was actually baptized by Fedot. He sees a clue in this to prove that Pryamikov owns his inheritance illegally.

Pravolov congratulates Krivosudov and starts a conversation with him about his case. But he only repeats: “Yes! It's not a good deal! ” Then Pravolov starts talking about the village that Krivosudov wanted to buy. He gives the judge "on credit" the required amount. And Krivosudov agrees to contribute to Truth.

Guests are going to the birthday party. Among them are the prosecutor Khvataiko and members of the Civil Chamber: Bulbulkin, Atuev, Radbyn and Passwordkin. Pravolov slowly reminds everyone of the gifts he has made.

The conversation is about the appointment of a new governor - Pravdolyub. The members of the chamber are afraid that they would not get into trouble because of bribes: the new governor is honest, considers all requests and complaints.

When the guests get drunk, Sophia leaves them in frustration. Mother goes after her daughter and reproaches her. Theokla announces to Sophia that she will marry Pravolov. The girl begs her mother on her knees to be delivered from such a husband.

Guests start playing cards. During the game, Pravolov says that Bogdan Pryamikov illegally appropriated an inheritance intended for the missing Fedot Pryamikov.

Pryamikov comes. He wants to explain to the audience the essence of his work, but no one wants to listen to him. Pravolov refuses to explain to Pryamikov: "I am an ignoramus in sneak ...". Then Pryamikov, taking the opponent aside, threatens: if Pravolov decides to marry Sophia, then he, Pryamikov, will leave him "without a nose, without ears." Then the lieutenant colonel leaves.

Sophia plays the guests on the harp and sings a song about justice. But the guests are dragging out another song: “Take it, there is no big science, / Take what you can take ...”. Drunken guests leave.

The next morning, Sophia is grieving about her fate. All night she dreamed of "the unbearable Pravolov." Pryamikov comes. He wants to do a favor to Krivosudov, who in the Senate is “enemies forge misfortune”. But Krivosudov’s wife rudely treats an uninvited guest. Without letting her husband say a word, she points Pryamikov to the door. Krivosudov fears that Pryamikov’s words may turn out to be true, but his wife reproaches him for cowardice.

Naumych comes and brings an envelope with money from Pravolov - this is a "fine" that Pravolov is willing to pay in case of his wrong. And the secretary has already selected laws that will help solve the case in favor of Pravolov. Krivosudov tells Secretary Kokhtin about the troubles in the Senate. Together, they sort out past unrighteous deeds: have any of them come to light?

Anna and Dobrov are trying to turn the place of yesterday's drinking party into a courtroom. They hide the bottles under the table and cover them with cloth.

Chamber members enter the room. Dobrov reads the names of next cases. He doesn’t want to consider many lawsuits - he puts it under the cloth. The line comes to the claim of Pravolov against Pryamikov. Dobrov reads the case. Meanwhile, members of the chamber find unfinished bottles under the table and hang out.

Bogdan Pryamikov is the legal owner of the estate left by his father. But Pravolov is trying to prove that he bought this estate from a certain distant relative of Pryamikov the father. Bogdan himself allegedly illegally took possession of the inheritance. All conclusions are based on the difference in names. However, the members of the chamber do not even listen to the young barchuk-guardsman. Without hesitation, they award to give the estate of Pryamikov to Pravolov. Everyone signs the paper, gives it to Pravolov, and then two packages come from the Senate.

In the first, it is prescribed to immediately take into custody Pravolov - the ovadnik, the villain and the murderer. And in the second - an order: to judge the entire Civil Chamber by criminal procedure for bribes and injustices. Theokla appears. She, like everyone else, is amazed at these two news. The members of the chamber scatter, and here comes Straight. He asks for Sophia's hands. Krivosudov and Theokla gladly meet him and give their consent to the marriage. They only had hopes that "everything ... will get away with it a little." Or, at least, with the coming triumph, an amnesty will come out.