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Description |
In addition to individual bundles of criminal case papers and porteous rolls, High Court of Justiciary papers include administrative papers for the circuits, supplementary papers relating to cases, e.g. petitions, bonds of caution for compearance, etc., papers unrelated to cases, eg. miscellaneous petitions, bonds of caution in lawburrows, applications for letters of: lawburrows, caption, suspension, exculpation, etc., and Clerk of Justiciary correspondence. |
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Admin
history |
The High Court of Justiciary sat in Edinburgh at various points throughout the year. The Lords of Justiciary also went out 'on circuit' to administer justice around Scotland twice a year, in spring and autumn. There were three circuits, each holding courts in three burghs. The Northern Circuit comprised Inverness, Aberdeen and Perth, the Southern Circuit Ayr, Dumfries and Jedburgh, and the Western Circuit Stirling, Inveraray and Glasgow. The sheriffs from each shire were responsible for ensuring the appearance of accused persons for trial at their nearest circuit court, with accompanying documentation (porteous rolls). |