In some parts of the Old World, trial by combat is still recognised as a legitimate legal procedure. In such trials, the accused is pitted against a Judicial Champion. These professional fighters are very good at their job, simply because they need to be in order to survive. They are expert in the use of several weapons; some laws set down the type of weapon to be used in a given case and sometimes the defendant is permitted to choose. A wealthy or noble defendant may be allowed to hire a Judicial Champion to fight on his behalf and some wealthy merchants and noblemen employ a champion on a permanent basis.