In cities without a seriously large Chantry, but where regular collective action actually happens, the traditional political structure for the Cabals of the city to get together under is "the Conclave". And that, in turn, is a bit odd, because Conclaves are usually things like "A grand meeting of the Magi of Spain" - rare, full of little ritualisms, and only called for every few years, to discuss weighty matters.
Still, some cities to end up in this setup, so let's run through the bits.
The Conclave Staff
Every Conclave has a recognized "host" (who might not be the actual host, but who has the job). The host is the final authority on what goes down in the Conclave itself, but doesn't have authority past that. Cities using Conclaves a lot often elect their formal host, and refer to them as the Steward. Hosts typically have a few assistants; again, when formalized, the archaic terms come out - and they're called Custodes. Among other things, the host / Steward is often called on to adjudicate duels between mages (Certamen) should they come up.
The Low Court
At any Conclave, the main deal is a "Low Court" meeting. Which is to say, a meeting of Cabal representatives, getting together to talk nuts and bolts - coordinating to get things done, enemies thumped, expeditions arranged. Cities that run their affairs 'by Conclave' have mostly loosened this up to just being an open floor meeting. Formal representatives coordinating actions in meetings is generally dropped, and happens only if the knives are out with the Technocrats, Nephandi, or whoever.
High Court And Archons
Once in a while, a Conclave will have criminals, for lack of a better word. Accused traitors to the Technocracy, captive Marauders, and other such. On such occasions, a semblance of a court of law is needed; this is a High Court. The members of each Tradition meet and pick a representative - a Councilor. The Councilors, in turn, pick someone to manage the meeting - an Archon. The Archon picks Custodes to act as bailiffs and the like, and the trial is on, with the Councilors acting as jury, the Archon as judge. Witnesses and statements might be allowed and made, and the high drama of defense and proof. Or the Archon might, immediately on election, have the Custodes seize the accused, and ask for a verdict from the Councilors (when there's no real dispute to have, this is usual; when there is an argument, most Archons don't mind indulging it).
Ongoing High Courts
In a few cities, High Courts are called for often enough that the roles are simply used as permanent posts. This has, on some occasions (as in, three times in the world), evolved into a kind of three-house government: Cabal leaders as the Low Court, Councilors as the High Court, and the Archon, Steward, and Custodes as a kind of administrative executive. Whether that kind of development appeals to or appalls your characters is, of course, up to you.
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