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Description |
This collection covers all court business from as it happened within the circuit court (that is, the court held by judges of the High Court when they sit outside of Edinburgh).The records were written by the court clerks who were present in court on that day and are signed and verified for accuracy after the fact.
Pre 20th century, circuit courts travelled to other locations out with Edinburgh bi annually, in spring and Autumn. A conclusion to the trial could be reached on the day of the circuit court or sent onto Edinburgh for a future sitting. The Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act of 1887 empowered the Lord Advocate to requisition special sittings of the High Court at any time, either where circuits were usually held or in any other town most convenient for the trial of the crime committed. Consequently, this meant that trials held in circuit courts were now fixed in location and sat more frequently.
In contrast to the Books of Adjournal, the minutes are identified as a primary source.
The Northern Circuit covers sittings held at Perth, Inverness, Aberdeen and from 1881, Dundee.
Refer to the 'JC' description (Fonds level) for more detail about circuits.
The dates for this series are not complete. |
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Admin
history |
Description reviewed and refreshed on 9/9/2020 |