Canon 9 Clerics' lawsuits are judged by bishops and synods

If any cleric has a matter against a cleric, let him not forsake his own bishop, and let him not run off to worldly courts; but let him first argue the case before his own bishop, or else, with the consent of the bishop himself, let the trial be held before whomever both parties wish. And if anyone should act contrary to these things, let him be subject to canonical penalties. And if a cleric has a matter against his own bishop, or against another bishop, let him be judged before the synod of the province. And if a bishop or a cleric should have a dispute with the metropolitan of the same province, let him have recourse to the exarch of the diocese, or to the throne of the reigning city of Constantinople, and let him be judged before it.