Difference between revisions of "Law and Law Enforcement"

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[[Category:General Reference]]
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[[Category:Adopted Pages]]
 
__TOC__
 
__TOC__
  
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==The English Legal System and English Law==
  
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*[http://www.judiciary.gov.uk/about_judiciary/judges_and_the_constitution/history_of_the_judiciary/index.htm History of the Judiciary ]
 +
 +
*[http://www.hmcourts-service.gov.uk/aboutus/history/magistrates.htm History of Justices of The Peace (Magistrates)]
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*[http://www.magistrateswestyorks.org.uk/history.html Another History of Justices of The Peace]
 +
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*[http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/familyhistory/guide/ancestorslaw/default.htm Ancestors and The Law]
 +
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*[http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/sbook-law.html Medieval Legal History]
 +
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*[http://vi.uh.edu/pages/bob/elhone/comcrts.html The Nature of Courts and The Law Before 1176]
 +
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*[http://vi.uh.edu/pages/bob/elhone/elhmat.html English Legal History 12th-14th Century]
 +
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*[http://avalon.law.yale.edu/17th_century/england.asp The Bill of Rights, 1689]
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*[http://avalon.law.yale.edu/subject_menus/blackstone.asp Blackstone's Commentaries on The Laws of England, 1765-1769]
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*[http://www.medievalgenealogy.org.uk/guide/leg.shtml#top Common Law in Medieval England]
 +
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*[http://www.barcouncil.org.uk/about/circuits/a-historyofthecircuits/ History of The Criminal Court Circuits]
 +
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*[http://www.learningcurve.gov.uk/candp/default.htm A History of Crime and Punishment]
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*[http://special.lib.gla.ac.uk/teach/hang/text.html Crime and Punishment 1790-1870]
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*[http://vcp.e2bn.org/ Victorian Crime and Punishment]
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*[http://www.learningcurve.gov.uk/candp/punishment/g09/default.htm A History of Punishment From 1750-1900]
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*[http://www.hiddenlives.org.uk/articles/juvenile_part1.html Poverty and Juvenile Crime]
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*[http://www.schools.bedfordshire.gov.uk/gaol/system.htm The System of Criminal Prosecution in the 19th Century]
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*[http://avalon.law.yale.edu/subject_menus/medmenu.asp Ancient, Medieval and Renaissance Documents]
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==Courts==
 +
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*[http://www.gmcro.co.uk/cs/quarter_sessions.htm Quarter Sessions Records and Family Historians]
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*[http://freespace.virgin.net/owston.tj/quartses.htm Quarter Sessions Records- What They Hold]
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*[http://yourarchives.nationalarchives.gov.uk/index.php?title=Research_Guide:_Assizes_-_Criminal_Trials History of Assize Courts]
 +
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*[http://www.lancs.ac.uk/fass/projects/manorialrecords/manors/whatis.htm Manorial Courts]
 +
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*[http://www.imperial-london.me.uk/metropolitan-police-courts.php Metropolitan Police Courts]
 +
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*[http://www.rjerrard.co.uk/law/city/ccc2.htm History of The Central Criminal Court (Old Bailey)]
 +
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*[http://www.imperial-london.me.uk/legal-london.php London's Legal System in 1900]
 +
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*[http://www.schools.bedfordshire.gov.uk/gaol/ccourts.htm Criminal Courts in The 19th Century]
 +
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*[http://www.hmcourts-service.gov.uk/aboutus/history/ History of Her Majesty's Court Service]
 +
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*[http://www.court-of-chivalry.bham.ac.uk/index.htm The Court of Chivalry 1634-1640]
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*[http://www.traffordmagistrates.info/html/body_trafford_s_history.html History of Trafford Magistrates Court]
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==The Inns of Court==
 +
 +
*[http://www.venables.co.uk/barinns.htm Introduction to the Inns of Court]
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*[http://www.imperial-london.me.uk/inns-of-court.php Legal London in 1900: The Inns of Court]
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*[http://www.graysinn.info/index.php?Itemid=686&id=4&option=com_content&task=section Gray's Inn Library and Archives, also holds the surviving records of Barnard's Inn & Staple's Inn.]
 +
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*[http://www.lincolnsinn.org.uk/lib_gen.asp Lincoln's Inn Library and Archives]
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*[http://www.middletemple.org.uk/library_ Middle Temple Library and Archive]
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 +
==Legal Systems in other Jurisdictions==
 +
 +
*[http://www.scotcourts.gov.uk/ The Scottish Legal System]
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*[http://www.stairsociety.org/links.htm The Stair Society - History of Scots Law]
 +
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*[http://www.nas.gov.uk/guides/crime.asp National Archives of Scotland - Criminal Courts]
 +
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*[http://www.isle-of-man.com/manxnotebook/fulltext/blk1816/ch15.htm Isle of Man Legal System]
 +
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*[http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/pub/ascii/wfbcjfra.txt The French Legal System]
 +
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*[http://law-library.rutgers.edu/resources/flr.php The Legal System and Legislation in France]
 +
 +
*[http://www.nyulawglobal.org/globalex/Caribbean.htm The Legal System in The Caribbean]
 +
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 +
==Trials and Court Records==
 +
 +
*[http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/ftrials.htm Famous Trials~Worldwide]
 +
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*[http://yourarchives.nationalarchives.gov.uk/index.php?title=Research_Guide:_Assizes_-_Criminal_Trials A Guide to Searching Assize Court Records]
 +
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*[http://grubstreet.rictornorton.co.uk/ Early 18th Century Crime Reports- Newspaper Extracts]
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*[http://www.british-history.ac.uk/catalogue.aspx?gid=90 Some Early Law Reports for Lancashire, Lincolnshire, Sussex and Yorkshire]
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*[http://www.bu.edu/law/seipp/index.html Medieval Year Books 1290-1535]
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*[http://www.finerollshenry3.org.uk/cocoon/frh3/index.html Henry III Fine Rolls, 1216-1272]
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*[http://www.medievalgenealogy.org.uk/fines/counties.shtml Abstracts of Feet of Fines 1360-1509]
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*[http://sdrc.lib.uiowa.edu/patentrolls/search.html Calendars of Patent Rolls 1492-1547]
 +
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*[http://www.yeoldesussexpages.com/misc/genealog/gene.htm Important English Trials 1649-1895]
 +
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*[http://www.philological.bham.ac.uk/garnet/ A  True and Perfect Relation of the Proceedings at the Severall Arraignments of the Late Most Barbarous Traitors (1606)]
 +
 +
 +
==London==
 +
 +
*[http://www.oldbaileyonline.org The Proceedings of The Old Bailey, London 1674 to 1913]
 +
 +
*[http://www.british-history.ac.uk/source.asp?pubid=155 London Assize of Nuisance Records 1301-1431]
 +
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*[http://www.british-history.ac.uk/source.asp?pubid=569 London Possessory Assizes 1340-1451]
 +
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*[http://www.british-history.ac.uk/source.asp?pubid=153 The London Eyre of 1244]
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*[http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.asp?compid=35992 The London Eyre of 1276]
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*[http://www.british-history.ac.uk/source.asp?pubid=237 18th Century Hackney Petty Sessions Records]
 +
 +
*[http://www.sd-editions.com/AnaServer?chivalry+0+start.anv Searchable Records of The Court of Chivalry 1634-1640]
 +
 +
 +
==Regional==
  
==Murder==
+
*[http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/seth/pleas-bedfordeyre.html Pleas at Bedford in the Fourth Year of the Reign of King John]
  
 +
*[http://www.geocities.com/fountalnpen/quartsess.html Chester - Quarter Sessions Records and Other Records of The Justices of The Peace Abstracts of Selected Documents 1528 - 1760]
  
*[http://www.lightage.demon.co.uk/index.htm#Police%20Index Black Sheep index]  
+
*[http://www.wirksworth.org.uk/CRIME.htm Persons Tried at The Derbyshire Petty Sessions and Quarter Sessions 1770-1828.]
  
*[http://www.murderuk.com/site_index.html Comprehensive list of Murders and Murderers-some info quite disturbing]
+
*[http://genuki.cs.ncl.ac.uk/DEV/CourtRecords/QS32-105.html Devon Quarter Sesssion Records, Easter 1830]
  
*[http://www.geocities.com/stevenhortonuk/liverpoolmurders.html Murders in Liverpool]
+
*[http://sites.scran.ac.uk/lamb/crime.htm A History of Crime and Punishment in Dundee]
  
 +
*[http://www.essex-family-history.co.uk/James1crime.htm Crime During The Reign of James I]
  
 +
*[http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~mrawson/sessions.html Kent Quarter Sessions Indices]
  
 +
*[http://www.geocities.com/myjacobfamily/CP40-169.htm Extract From Roll of The Court of Common Pleas, Kent 1308]
  
==Executions-Executioners==
+
*[http://www.british-history.ac.uk/catalogue.aspx?gid=90 Feet of Fines - Lancashire, Lincoln and Sussex]
  
 +
*[http://www.rootschat.com/history/hastings/content/view/46/30 Prisoners Sentenced to Transportation from Lewes Assizes Between c1790 and c1850]
  
*[http://www.richard.clark32.btinternet.co.uk/hangmen.html The English Hangmen from 1850 to 1964]
+
*[http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/seth/pleas-lincolneyre.html Lincolnshire Eyre 1202]
  
*[http://www.manchester2002-uk.com/info/manchester-executions.html Capital Punishments Executed at Strangeways, Manchester]
+
*[http://www.british-history.ac.uk/catalogue.aspx?gid=114 Middlesex Quarter Sessions 1550-1709]
  
*[http://www.fred.net/jefalvey/execute.html List Of Executions - England 1606 Onward]
+
*[http://www.cheshirehistory.org.uk/Papers/Nantwich1696.htm Extracts from The Nantwich Manor Court Rolls 1592-1691]
  
*[http://uk.geocities.com/becky62655@btinternet.com/ Capital Punishment in the 18th & 19th Centuries]
+
*[http://www.verderers.org.uk/court.html The New Forest Verderers' Court]
  
*[http://www.geocities.com/richard.clark32@btinternet.com/common.html Capital Punishment in the Commonwealth]
+
*[http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/seth/pleas-northamptoneyre.html Northamptonshire Eyre 1202]
  
*[http://www.richard.clark32.btinternet.co.uk/abolish.html The Abolition of Hanging in Britain]
+
*[http://www.genealogytoday.com/au/articles/convict_research.html Convicts Tried at Nottingham Borough Quarter Sessions Assizes -Details of Prisoners who were subsequently deported to Australia]
  
*[http://www.richard.clark32.btinternet.co.uk/timeline.html Timeline of Capital Punishment in Britain]
+
*[http://www.southernlife.org.uk/piepowder.htm Pie Powder Courts in Southampton]
  
*[http://www.richard.clark32.btinternet.co.uk/hanging1.html The History of Judicial Hanging in Britain.]
+
*[http://www.southernlife.org.uk/courtleet.htm Southampton's Court Leet]
  
*[http://www.metaphor.dk/guillotine/Pages/Guillot.html The Guillotine Headquarters]
+
*[http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/seth/pleas-staffordeyre.html Staffordshire Eyre, 1203]
  
*[http://www.derbycity.com/derby/execute.html Executions in Derbyshire]
+
*[http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/seth/pleas-shropeyre.html Shropshire Eyre 1203]
  
*[http://www.metaphor.dk/guillotine/Pages/gibbet.html The Halifax Gibbet]
+
*[http://www3.shropshire-cc.gov.uk/roots/list_cri.htm History of Crime and Detection in Shropshire]  
  
*[http://www3.shropshire-cc.gov.uk/roots/list_cri.htm History of Crime and Detection] with specific reference to Shropshire
+
*[http://freespace.virgin.net/genealogical.collections/NaughtyFolk.htm Court Cases from the Swindon Advertiser 1844 & 1845- A CD to buy - a few extracts are on line]
  
 +
*[http://www.wiganworld.co.uk/stuff/leet.php?opt=leet Calendar of Wigan Borough Court Leet Rolls from 1686]
  
 +
*[http://www.yorkfamilyhistory.org.uk/assizes.htm An index of Prisoners - York Assizes Between 1785 and 1851]
  
==The English Legal System==
+
*[http://www.llgc.org.uk/sesiwn_fawr/index_s.htm Court of Great Sessions in Wales from 1730 until 1830.]
  
 +
*[http://history.powys.org.uk/history/common/crimenu.html Crime and Punishment in Powys]
  
*[http://www.judiciary.gov.uk/about_judiciary/judges_and_the_constitution/history_of_the_judiciary/index.htm History of the Judiciary ]
+
*[http://www.gtj.org.uk/en/item10/10263 Caernarfonshire Quarter Sessions Records 1546-1795]
  
*[http://www.hmcourts-service.gov.uk/aboutus/history/magistrates.htm History of Justices of the Peace (magistrates)]
+
*[http://www.isle-of-man.com/manxnotebook/fulltext/blk1816/ch15.htm History of the Courts in the Isle of Man]
  
*[http://www.magistrateswestyorks.org.uk/history.html Another History of Justices of the Peace]
+
*[http://www.hulford.co.uk/trials.html English Witch Trials]
  
*[http://www.schools.bedfordshire.gov.uk/gaol/ccourts.htm A brief description of the 19th Century Criminal Justice System]
+
*[http://www.lowestoftwitches.com/ The Trial of the Lowestoft Witches]
  
*[http://worcestershire.whub.org.uk/home/acs-records-education-newslettersummer2007.doc Courts of Quarter Sessions]
+
*[http://www.hulford.co.uk/essex.html Essex Witch Trials]
  
*[http://www.schools.bedfordshire.gov.uk/gaol/ccourts.htm Criminal Courts in the 19th Century]
+
*[http://www.dunmowflitchtrials.co.uk/ The Dunmow Flitch Trials Includes Successful Claimants from 1445]
  
*[http://www.gmcro.co.uk/cs/quarter_sessions.htm The Quarter Sessions]
 
  
*[http://freespace.virgin.net/owston.tj/quartses.htm Quarter Sessions Records- what they hold]
+
==Ecclesiastical Courts==
  
*[http://yourarchives.nationalarchives.gov.uk/index.php?title=Research_Guide:_Assizes_-_Criminal_Trials History of Assize Courts]
+
*[http://www.le.ac.uk/ee/pot/research/penance.html Ecclesiastical Courts]
  
 +
*[http://assets.cambridge.org/97805218/69386/excerpt/9780521869386_excerpt.pdf The Ecclesiatical Court - Structures and Procedures]
  
 +
*[http://assets.cambridge.org/97805218/69386/frontmatter/9780521869386_frontmatter.pdf The Rise and Fall of the Ecclesiastical Courts]
  
==Gaols==
+
*[http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/familyhistory/next_steps/adv_06_church_courts_01.shtml Church Courts - BBC History]
  
 +
*[http://www.the-orb.net/atherstone/leicester.html Leicester Archdeaconry Court - Winter v Petcher 1597-8]
  
*[http://www.schools.bedfordshire.gov.uk/gaol/contents.htm Bedford Gaol in 19th Century]
 
  
*[http://www.buckscc.gov.uk/bucks_prisoners/index.htm Aylesbury Prison in the 1870s] Includes details of the prisoner's crime and sentence, and, in some instances, his photograph.
+
'''For Licensed Victuallers' Records see separate page -[http://www.familytreeforum.com/wiki/index.php/Court_Sessions_and_Victuallers%27_Licences Court Sessions and Victuallers' Licences]'''
  
*[http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/calendarofprisoners Warwick County Prison between 1800 and 1900] Inmates Database
+
'''For Poor Law Information see separate page -[http://www.familytreeforum.com/wiki/index.php/Poor_Law_and_Workhouse_Records Poor Law and Workhouse Records''']'''
  
*[http://www.derbygaol.com/crime_punishment.htm Derby Gaol 1756-1825] List of Executed Prisoners
+
'''For Emigration and Immigration and Convict Transportation see separate page -[http://www.familytreeforum.com/wiki/index.php/Emigration_and_Immigration Emigration and Immigration]'''
  
*[http://www.fred.net/jefalvey/newgate.html A History of Newgate Prison] including List of Inmates and Victims
+
==Gaols and Prisons==
  
*[http://members.lycos.co.uk/s0uthbury/ HMP Parkhurst] Prisoners and Warders in the 19th Century
+
*[http://www.schools.bedfordshire.gov.uk/gaol/contents.htm Bedford Gaol in the 19th Century
  
 
*[http://www.rootsweb.com/~engchs/prison.html Chester Gaol, 1808-1816]
 
*[http://www.rootsweb.com/~engchs/prison.html Chester Gaol, 1808-1816]
  
*[http://www.lancastercastle.com/html/convict/default.php Database of Convicts held at Lancaster Castle]
+
*[http://www.derbygaol.com/crime_punishment.htm Executed Prisoners Derby Gaol 1756-1825]  
  
*[http://www.inverarayjail.co.uk/index.htm Inveraray Prison]including prisoners who were deported]
+
*[http://www.dur.ac.uk/4schools/Crime/Durhamprison1.htm A History of Durham Gaol]
  
 +
*[http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/GLS/Jail1850.html Prisoners in Gloucestershire Gaols, 1850 & 1851]
  
 +
*[http://www.smr.herefordshire.gov.uk/post-medieval/prisons/prisons_index.htm Prisons in Herefordshire]
  
==Trials and Court Hearings==
+
*[http://www.lancastercastle.com/html/convict/default.php Convicts Held at Lancaster Castle]
  
 +
*[http://www.imperial-london.me.uk/london-prisons.php A History of London Prisons]
  
*[http://www.oldbaileyonline.org The Proceedings of the Old Bailey, London 1674 to 1834 ] Also has old maps and other info about London history.
+
*[http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A987861 Life Inside Newgate Prison, London]
  
*[http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/ftrials.htm Famous Trials] Worldwide
+
*[http://members.lycos.co.uk/s0uthbury/ HMP Parkhurst in 19th Century]
  
*[http://www.infopt.demon.co.uk/grub/grub.htm Early 18th Century Crime Reports]
+
*[http://www.ruthingaol.co.uk/English.htm History of Ruthin Gaol]  
  
*[http://www.yeoldesussexpages.com/misc/genealog/gene.htm Important English trials 1649-1895]
+
*[http://sites.scran.ac.uk/lamb/crime-pages/L442(5).htm Inmates of Dundee Jail in 1819]
  
*[http://www.schools.bedfordshire.gov.uk/gaol/ccourts.htm Criminal Courts in the 19th Century]
+
*[http://www.rootsweb.com/~engchs/WAL.html Walton Gaol- Inmates and Staff, 1881]
  
*[http://www.toughtimesandgrislycrimes.co.uk/ A History of Crime in Northumberland and Durham]
+
*[http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/calendarofprisoners Inmates of Warwick County Prison 1800 - 1900]
  
*[http://www.llgc.org.uk/sesiwn_fawr/index_s.htm Court of Great Sessions in Wales from 1730 until 1830.]
 
  
*[http://www.genealogytoday.com/au/articles/convict_research.html Convicts tried at Nottingham Borough Quarter Sessions Assizes]
+
==The Police==
 +
 
 +
*[http://www.policememorial.org.uk/Forces/ForcesList.htm Police Force Roll of Honor]
 +
 
 +
*[http://www.blacksheepindex.co.uk/POLNOTES.htm The Police Index]
 +
 
 +
*[http://www.mkheritage.co.uk/nppm/constable.html The PARISH CONSTABLE, The Precursor of Today's Special Constable]
 +
 
 +
*[http://www.policehistorysociety.co.uk/ The Police History Society]
 +
 
 +
*[http://www.policehistory.com/ Garda Síochána Historical Society]
 +
 
 +
 
 +
==London Police==
 +
 
 +
*[http://www.friendsofmethistory.co.uk/ Friends of the Metropolitan Police Historical Collection]
 +
 
 +
*[http://www.met.police.uk/history/timeline1829-1849.htm The Metropolitan Police Force Time Line 1829 - 1849]
 +
 
 +
*[http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/RdLeaflet.asp?sLeafletID=104&j=1 Metropolitan Police (London): Records of Service]
 +
 
 +
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/City_of_London_Police City of London Police Wikipedia]
 +
 
 +
*[http://www.imperial-london.me.uk/london-police.php A Brief History of London Police]
 +
 
 +
*[http://www.policeorders.co.uk/ Metropolitan Police Orders Database]
 +
 
 +
*[http://www.cityoflondon.police.uk/CityPolice/About/History/ A brief history of the City of London Police]
 +
 
 +
*[http://www.geocities.com/evesfam/police/Policeindx.htm Index of Metropolitan Police Listed in The Police Orders of 1868]
 +
 
 +
*[http://www.met.police.uk/history/index.htm History of the Metropolitan Police]
 +
 
 +
*[http://www.thamespolicemuseum.org.uk/ The Thames Police Museum]
 +
 
 +
 
 +
==Regional Police==
 +
 
 +
*[http://www.essex.police.uk/museum/history.htm Essex Police Museum]
 +
 
 +
*[http://www.hants.gov.uk/hchs/ Hampshire Constabulary History Society]
 +
 
 +
*[http://www.lincs.police.uk/index.asp?locID=435&docID=-1 The History of Lincolnshire Police]
 +
 
 +
*[http://www.nottinghamshire.police.uk/about/history/ Nottinghamshire Police History]
 +
 
 +
*[http://www.surrey.police.uk/aboutus_history_item.asp?artid=1106 Surrey Police History]
 +
 
 +
*[http://www.wiltshire.police.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=55&Itemid=94 History of Wiltshire Police]
 +
 
 +
*[http://www.south-wales.police.uk/fe/master.asp?n1=8&n2=253&n3=691 History of South Wales Police Headquarters]
 +
 
 +
*[http://www.gov.im/dha/police/history/ A History of The Isle of Man Police]
 +
 
 +
*[http://gphs1800.tripod.com/ The Glasgow Police Museum]
 +
 
 +
*[http://www.fife.police.uk/Default.aspx?page=1813 History of Fife Police]
 +
 
 +
*[http://www.tayside.police.uk/history.php Tayside Police History and Museum]
 +
 
 +
*[http://www.psni.police.uk/index/about-us/police_museum.htm Northern Ireland Police Museum]
 +
 
 +
 
 +
'''Books'''
 +
 
 +
Tracing your Police Ancestors: A guide for family historians by Stephen Wade. ISBN 978 184415 878 2
 +
 
 +
 
 +
==Murder==
 +
 
 +
*[http://www.blacksheepindex.co.uk/ Black Sheep Index]
 +
 
 +
*[http://www.murderuk.com/site_index.html Comprehensive list of Murders and Murderers]
 +
 
 +
*[http://www.geocities.com/stevenhortonuk/liverpoolmurders.html Murders in Liverpool]
 +
 
 +
 
 +
 
 +
==Executions-Executioners==
 +
 
 +
*[http://www.capitalpunishmentuk.org/hangmen.html The English Hangmen from 1850 to 1964]
 +
 
 +
*[http://www.manchester2002-uk.com/info/manchester-executions.html Capital Punishments Executed at Strangeways, Manchester]
 +
 
 +
*[http://members.tripod.com/~Data_Mate/Execut.txt List Of Executions - England 1606 Onward]
 +
 
 +
*[http://www.capitalpunishmentuk.org/index18.html Capital Punishment in the 18th & 19th Centuries]
 +
 
 +
*[http://www.capitalpunishmentuk.org/common.html Capital Punishment in the Commonwealth]
 +
 
 +
*[http://www.capitalpunishmentuk.org/abolish.html The Abolition of Hanging in Britain]
 +
 
 +
*[http://www.capitalpunishmentuk.org/timeline.html Timeline of Capital Punishment in Britain]
 +
 
 +
*[http://www.capitalpunishmentuk.org/hanging1.html The History of Judicial Hanging in Britain.]
 +
 
 +
*[http://www.guillotine.dk/ The Guillotine Headquarters]
 +
 
 +
*[http://www.derbycity.com/derby/execute.html Executions in Derbyshire 1556-1905]
 +
 
 +
*[http://www.guillotine.dk/Pages/Guillot.html The Halifax Gibbet]
 +
 
 +
 
 +
==Some Legal Definitions==
 +
 
 +
'''Crown Court'''
 +
Crown Courts hear the most serious criminal cases, although all matters will have already had at least one hearing in the Magistrates' Court. The first Crown Courts were established in 1956 in Manchester and Liverpool, and by 1972 Crown Courts had completely replaced the old Assize Courts and also taken over the criminal  funtions of the Quarter Session Courts.
 +
 
 +
'''Assize Court'''
 +
These heard the most serious criminal cases from the 13th Century  until 1972 (1956 in Manchester and Liverpool) when they were replaced by Crown Courts. In 1834 the Central Criminal Court (the Old Bailey), was opened as the Assize Court for the metropolitan area of Greater London. Until about 1733, most Assize Court records are in Latin.
 +
 
 +
'''Quarter Sessions'''
 +
The Quarter Sessions were held 4 times a year by Justices of the Peace, once in each legal term i.e during Epiphany, Easter, Midsummer and Michaelmas. They  dealt with criminal cases and some civil matters such as licensing, bastardy, bancruptcy, maintenance and Poor Law cases. For a more complete list see [http://freespace.virgin.net/owston.tj/quartses.htm Quarter Sessions] . They existed from 1361 until 1972, although by this time many of their functions had been taken over by Local Authorities
 +
 
 +
'''Petty Sessions'''
 +
These existed from the 16th century and were presided over by Justices of the Peace. They dealt with criminal cases that were not sufficiently serious to warrant trial by jury and poor relief and licensing matters
 +
 
 +
'''District Bancruptcy Courts'''
 +
These existed outside London between 1842 and 1869 when their work was taken over by local county courts.
 +
 
 +
'''London Bankruptcy Court'''
 +
This existed until 1883 when its business was transferred to the High Court
 +
 
 +
'''Court of Common Pleas'''
 +
These came into existence in the 13th Century and heard common law civil actions such as debt cases. In 1873 they became part of the High Court, known as the  Common Pleas Division and in 1880 became part of the Queen´s Bench Division.
 +
 
 +
'''County Court'''
 +
Created in 1846 to hear Civil claims. The claims involving the largest amounts of money are heard at The Royal Courts of Justice
 +
 
 +
'''Royal Courts of Justice''' (RCJ)
 +
This is in The Strand, London and  came into existence in 1882 to accomodate  the Supreme Court of Judicature which itself consisted of the  High Court of Justice and the Court of Appeal.
 +
 
 +
'''The High Court Court of England and Wales'''
 +
The High Court, part of the Royal Courts of Justice in The Strand, London consists of three Divisions dealing with civil disputes: the Queen’s Bench Division, the Chancery Division and the Family Division, ( which until 1970 was known as the Probate, Divorce and Admiralty Division)
 +
 
 +
'''Court Leet'''
 +
The Court Leet was presided over by the Lord of the Manor, and usually held twice a year. It elected constables, other officers to deal with issues relalting to highways and footpaths , poaching, stray animals drunkards, weights & measures, ale quality bread quality, market trading cattle and swine lookers, water supplies fire prevention and the poor. It also tried petty offences.
 +
 
 +
'''House of Lords'''
 +
This is the final Court of Appeal for both Criminal and Civil matters.
 +
 
 +
'''Bigamy''' If a marriage takes place legally in the United Kingdom and one or both parties is  already legally married, the second marriage will be bigamous and is void. Bigamy became a criminal offence in 1861 and is currently triable either in the Magistrates' Court or the Crown Court.
 +
 
 +
'''Covenant''' a duty to do something in relation to land or a building, such as to keep it in good repair. A restrictive covenant is an obligation not to do something in relation to land or a building -eg an obligation not to run a business from the premises
 +
 
 +
'''Easement''' The entitlement to exercise a right over someone else's land - for example a right of way or a right to light.
 +
 
 +
'''Larceny''' The theft of property. Now called theft following the introduction of the Theft Act in 1968
 +
 
 +
'''Tipstaff''' In England and Wales, an officer of the civil courts whose purpose is to enforce warrants. In Northern Ireland, a court official who sits next to the judge and assists in opening and closing hearings, and assembling legal documents for the judge.
 +
 
 +
'''Plaintiff''' Someone who brings a civil action. Now called a Claimant.
 +
 
 +
'''Indictable offence''' A more serious Criminal offence, triable only by a Judge and Jury
 +
 
 +
'''Summary Offence''' A more minor criminal offence, heard only by magistrates.
  
*[http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~mrawson/sessions.html Kent Quarter Sessions Indices]
+
'''Mens Rea''' "a guilty mind". To be found guilty of a crime, the prosecution must prove that there is both the '''Actus Reus''' - ie the criminal act was actually committed - and also the Mens Rea- ie that there was intention to behave dishonestly.
  
*[http://www.yorkfamilyhistory.org.uk/assizes.htm An index of over 8000 prisoners brought to trial at York Assizes between 1785 and 1851]
 
  
*[http://www.wirksworth.org.uk/CRIME.htm A database of persons tried at the Derbyshire Petty Sessions and Quarter Sessions 1770-1828.]
+
==Miscellaneous==
  
*[http://history.powys.org.uk/history/common/crimenu.html Crime and Puishment in Powys]
+
*[http://www.learningcurve.gov.uk/candp/punishment/g09/default.htm A History of Punishment From 1750-1900]
  
*[http://www.rootschat.com/history/hastings/content/view/46/30 Prisoners sentenced to transportation from Lewes Assizes between c1790 and c1850]
+
*[http://www.hiddenlives.org.uk/articles/juvenile_part1.html Juvenile Crime in the 19th Century]
  
*[http://www.manchester.gov.uk/Libraries/arls/pdf/courtrecords.pdf A guide to Court and Prison Records in Manchester]
+
*[http://www.schools.bedfordshire.gov.uk/gaol/system.htm The System of Criminal Prosecution in the 19th Century]
  
*[http://www.lowestoftwitches.com/ The Trial of the Lowestoft Witches]
+
*[http://www.ianwaugh.com/crimeindex/ Waugh's List - Historic Serious Crime and Victim Index]
  
 +
*[http://www.justdivorce.co.uk/history_divorce.htm History of Divorce]
  
'''See also separate section on [http://www.familytreeforum.com/wiki/index.php/Emigration_and_Immigration Convict Transportation ]'''
+
*[http://www.familyhistoryonline.net/general/probate.shtml Family History on line - More About Probate Records]
  
 +
*[http://www.hmcourts-service.gov.uk/cms/1183.htm Probate Records and Family History]
  
  
 +
<br><br>
  
 +
Back to [[Main Page]]
  
 
Back to [[General History]]
 
Back to [[General History]]

Latest revision as of 08:50, 8 September 2022



The English Legal System and English Law


Courts


The Inns of Court

Legal Systems in other Jurisdictions


Trials and Court Records


London


Regional


Ecclesiastical Courts


For Licensed Victuallers' Records see separate page -Court Sessions and Victuallers' Licences

For Poor Law Information see separate page -Poor Law and Workhouse Records

For Emigration and Immigration and Convict Transportation see separate page -Emigration and Immigration

Gaols and Prisons


The Police


London Police


Regional Police


Books

Tracing your Police Ancestors: A guide for family historians by Stephen Wade. ISBN 978 184415 878 2


Murder


Executions-Executioners


Some Legal Definitions

Crown Court Crown Courts hear the most serious criminal cases, although all matters will have already had at least one hearing in the Magistrates' Court. The first Crown Courts were established in 1956 in Manchester and Liverpool, and by 1972 Crown Courts had completely replaced the old Assize Courts and also taken over the criminal funtions of the Quarter Session Courts.

Assize Court These heard the most serious criminal cases from the 13th Century until 1972 (1956 in Manchester and Liverpool) when they were replaced by Crown Courts. In 1834 the Central Criminal Court (the Old Bailey), was opened as the Assize Court for the metropolitan area of Greater London. Until about 1733, most Assize Court records are in Latin.

Quarter Sessions The Quarter Sessions were held 4 times a year by Justices of the Peace, once in each legal term i.e during Epiphany, Easter, Midsummer and Michaelmas. They dealt with criminal cases and some civil matters such as licensing, bastardy, bancruptcy, maintenance and Poor Law cases. For a more complete list see Quarter Sessions . They existed from 1361 until 1972, although by this time many of their functions had been taken over by Local Authorities

Petty Sessions These existed from the 16th century and were presided over by Justices of the Peace. They dealt with criminal cases that were not sufficiently serious to warrant trial by jury and poor relief and licensing matters

District Bancruptcy Courts These existed outside London between 1842 and 1869 when their work was taken over by local county courts.

London Bankruptcy Court This existed until 1883 when its business was transferred to the High Court

Court of Common Pleas These came into existence in the 13th Century and heard common law civil actions such as debt cases. In 1873 they became part of the High Court, known as the Common Pleas Division and in 1880 became part of the Queen´s Bench Division.

County Court Created in 1846 to hear Civil claims. The claims involving the largest amounts of money are heard at The Royal Courts of Justice

Royal Courts of Justice (RCJ) This is in The Strand, London and came into existence in 1882 to accomodate the Supreme Court of Judicature which itself consisted of the High Court of Justice and the Court of Appeal.

The High Court Court of England and Wales The High Court, part of the Royal Courts of Justice in The Strand, London consists of three Divisions dealing with civil disputes: the Queen’s Bench Division, the Chancery Division and the Family Division, ( which until 1970 was known as the Probate, Divorce and Admiralty Division)

Court Leet The Court Leet was presided over by the Lord of the Manor, and usually held twice a year. It elected constables, other officers to deal with issues relalting to highways and footpaths , poaching, stray animals drunkards, weights & measures, ale quality bread quality, market trading cattle and swine lookers, water supplies fire prevention and the poor. It also tried petty offences.

House of Lords This is the final Court of Appeal for both Criminal and Civil matters.

Bigamy If a marriage takes place legally in the United Kingdom and one or both parties is already legally married, the second marriage will be bigamous and is void. Bigamy became a criminal offence in 1861 and is currently triable either in the Magistrates' Court or the Crown Court.

Covenant a duty to do something in relation to land or a building, such as to keep it in good repair. A restrictive covenant is an obligation not to do something in relation to land or a building -eg an obligation not to run a business from the premises

Easement The entitlement to exercise a right over someone else's land - for example a right of way or a right to light.

Larceny The theft of property. Now called theft following the introduction of the Theft Act in 1968

Tipstaff In England and Wales, an officer of the civil courts whose purpose is to enforce warrants. In Northern Ireland, a court official who sits next to the judge and assists in opening and closing hearings, and assembling legal documents for the judge.

Plaintiff Someone who brings a civil action. Now called a Claimant.

Indictable offence A more serious Criminal offence, triable only by a Judge and Jury

Summary Offence A more minor criminal offence, heard only by magistrates.

Mens Rea "a guilty mind". To be found guilty of a crime, the prosecution must prove that there is both the Actus Reus - ie the criminal act was actually committed - and also the Mens Rea- ie that there was intention to behave dishonestly.


Miscellaneous




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Back to General History