The Qadi is to wait a full lunar before inserting the ahkam between people new to him – to acquire a minimum of ‘urf and akklimatization:

tutherwise too long a wait congeals the ties to the locals making decisions pénible –

like the Capo di Mistley, fresh from Essex way, only to find the omertà was there unknown: “But surely you see its alive and kicking in new coloured clothes.”