Collection GB 0074 LSJ - LONDON COUNTY SESSIONS: SUMMARY JURISDICTION

1.35 linear metres

GB 0074 LSJ 1889-1910 Collection 1.35 linear metres London County Petty Sessions

Since 1361 the Justices of the Peace met in their court of Quarter Sessions to try offences, and also, from the mid Sixteenth Century to deal with county administration. It was from this latter date with the increase in their workload that Justices began to do some of their business (minor legal and specific administrative tasks) outside of the formal sessions, either singly or in small groups.

Over the next century meetings outside of sessions became more regular, and more matters were dealt with there which had previously been heard at full sessions. They were often carried out at the magistrates' own homes, sometimes at special session meetings in a local court house, tavern or other meeting place. From 1828 all courts of Quarter Sessions were able to create districts or divisions specifically for petty sessions, either new areas or formalising any earlier informal divisions.

It was not only routine administration which was dealt with at these meetings, but some of the judicial procedure which needed carrying out pre-trial. Magistrates would examine alleged offenders and witnesses, take sworn statements (depositions), issue warrants for arrest or summonses to appear at court, bind over individuals to appear, and commit the accused to gaol to await trial or further investigation. Increasingly, they went further and began to sit without a jury to dispense immediate summary justice - either alone, or as a group of two or more known as the 'petty sessions'. They were, of course, hearing very minor cases such as those involving common assault, drunkenness, apprenticeship disputes, byelaw infringement, and (from 1664) attendance at illegal religious assemblies. The punishment they gave here was binding over with a recognizance to keep the peace; committal to prison for a short time (with a discharge before a main trial at the sessions started); or arbitration between the parties concerned to reach a settlement.

Offences which required a jury trial would still be heard at Quarter Sessions or the Assizes (Gaol Delivery Sessions at the Old Bailey), but petty sessions avoided the expense and hassle of a full trial for what were literally petty cases.

Statutory deposit.

Lists of convictions under the Summary Jurisdiction Act, some filed from the police courts, 1889-1910.

Records arranged in one series: LSJ/CR: Calendars of Convictions.

Available for general access.

Copyright to these records rests with the Corporation of London.

English

Please see online catalogues at: http://search.lma.gov.uk/opac_lma/index.htm

Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997.

November 2009 to February 2010 Documents Information sources Court records Records (documents) Records and correspondence Conviction Legal procedure Quarter sessions Western Europe UK England Law London London County Petty Sessions Quarter Sessions records Legislation Administration of justice legislation Summary Jurisdiction Act 1857 c43 Court of Quarter Sessions Administration of justice Courts Petty sessions Europe

Statutory deposit.

Lists of convictions under the Summary Jurisdiction Act, some filed from the police courts, 1889-1910.

Records arranged in one series: LSJ/CR: Calendars of Convictions.

Available for general access.

Copyright to these records rests with the Corporation of London.

• anglais

• latin

English

Please see online catalogues at: http://search.lma.gov.uk/opac_lma/index.htm

Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997.

• anglais