A Treatise on the Police of the Metropolis Part 49

[Footnote 182: But particularly that branch of it, which relates to the management of the Poor, than which nothing in a greater degree requires immediate improvement; since it is unquestionably true, and has, indeed, been already shewn, that from this source incalculable evils have arisen, which must proportionately increase, until some effectual remedy is applied.--See Chapter 13th, where a remedy is proposed.]

In the next place, it may be useful, and certainly cannot be improper, in a Treatise on the Police, to insert a brief detail of the different Courts of Law, and public Prisons, established in the Metropolis; for the distribution of Justice, and the punishment of delinquents, for civil as well as criminal offences; together with the number of professional men attached to these various Law establishments.

COURTS OF JUSTICE

IN THE

_METROPOLIS_.

Supreme Courts.

The High Court of Parliament.

The House of Lords; being the Appeal in the last resort in all causes criminal and civil.

The Court of Exchequer Chamber, before which Writs of Error are brought on judgments in the Court of King's Bench and other Courts; it is composed, in certain cases, of all the Twelve Judges, and the Lord Chancellor; but sometimes of a smaller number.

The High Court of Chancery--at Westminster Hall--and Lincoln's Inn Hall.

The Court of King's Bench, held in Westminster Hall.

The Court of Common Pleas, held in Westminster Hall.

The Court of Exchequer--a Court of Law, Equity and Revenue; held at Westminster Hall and Serjeant's Inn.

The Court of Appeals in Colonial and Prize Causes; before the Lords of his Majesty's Privy Council at Whitehall.

The High Court of Admiralty, for Prizes, &c. at Doctor's Commons; and in criminal Cases, twice a year, at the Old Bailey.

Four Ecclesiastical Courts. Doctors' Commons.

Prerogative Court, for Wills and Administrations

Court of Arches, for Appeals from inferior Ecclesiastical Courts in the Province of Canterbury; the Court of Peculiars is a branch of this Court.

Faculty Court, to grant Dispensations to marry, &c.

Court of Delegates for Ecclesiastical Affairs.

The Court of Oyer and Terminer and Gaol-Delivery for trying Criminals at the Justice Hall, Old Bailey

Held by His Majesty's Commission to the Lord-Mayor, Judges, Recorder and Common Serjeant, &c.

Seventeen Courts in the City of London.

Court of Hustings

The Supreme Court of the City for Pleas of Land and Common Pleas

The Lord-Mayor's Court

For Actions of Debt and Trespa.s.s, and for Appeals from inferior Courts and for foreign attachments; giving decisions in all cases whatsoever, in 14 days, at an expence not exceeding thirty s.h.i.+llings; held in the King's Bench, Guildhall, by the Lord-Mayor, Recorder, and Aldermen.

Court of Requests

Held by two Aldermen and four Members of the Common Council, appointed by the Lord-Mayor and Aldermen; three of whom form a Court for the recovery of small debts under 40_s._ at the expence of 10_d._

Chamberlain's Court

Held every day to determine differences between masters and apprentices; and to admit those qualified to the freedom of the City.

Sheriff's Court

Held every Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sat.u.r.day, at Guildhall; where Actions of Debt and Trespa.s.s, &c. are tried by the Sheriff, and his Deputy, who are Judges of the Court.

Court of Orphans

Held before the Lord-Mayor and Aldermen, as Guardians of the Children of deceased Freemen under twenty-one years of age, &c.

Pie Poudre Court

Held by the Lord-Mayor and Stewards, for administering instantaneous Justice between Buyers and Sellers at Bartholomew Fair, to redress all such disorders as may arise there.

Court of Conservancy

Held by the Lord Mayor and Aldermen four times a year, in Middles.e.x, Ess.e.x, Kent, and Surry; who inquire by a Jury, into Abuses relative to the Fis.h.i.+ng on the River Thames, and redress the same; from Staines _West_, to Yenfleet _East_.

Court of Lord-Mayor, and Aldermen.--Court of Common Council.--Court of Common Hall.--Court of Wardmotes

These relate to setting the a.s.size on Bread and Salt--to the munic.i.p.al Officers of the City--to the Elections of Lord-Mayor, Sheriffs, and Officers of the City--and to the Management of the Public Property of the City, and removing Nuisances.

The Wardmotes are held chiefly for the Election of Aldermen & Common Councilmen.

General and Quarter Sessions of the Peace, held by the Lord-Mayor and Aldermen, eight times a year.

Petty Sessions for small Offences, &c. held at the Mansion House by the Lord-Mayor and one Alderman: and at Guildhall by two Aldermen in rotation

Daily, in the forenoon

Coroners' Court

To inquire into the causes of sudden deaths, when they arise.

Court of the Tower of London

Held within the verge of the City by a Stewart appointed by the Constable of the Tower, before whom are tried Actions of Debt, Trespa.s.ses, and Covenants.

Courts of Justice within the City and Liberty of Westminster.