Abd al-Malik bin Maysarah (may Allah have mercy on him) says: I heard Kardus bin Qays (may Allah have mercy on him), who was the public judge in Kufah, say: One of the Companions who fought at Badr (may Allah be pleased with him) informed me that he heard the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) saying: "To sit in a gathering like this is more beloved to me than freeing four slaves."
Shu'bah (may Allah have mercy on him) said: Which gathering? He said: The gathering of the judge.
Hadith Referenceالسنن الكبرى للبيهقي / كتاب آداب القاضي / 20170