The High Court of Delegates

Book excerpt: This book, a study of the principal appellate court in the English civil law hierarchy, the High Court of Delegates, examines the history, jurisdiction, procedure, personnel and records of the court from the mid-sixteenth century until its abolition in 1832. In an introductory historical survey, the author considers the earlier provisions for civil law appeal, the circumstances surrounding the creation of the Court of Delegates, and its history from the mid-sixteenth century until 1832. After a general discussion of the jurisdiction of the court, Dr Duncan goes on to a detailed discussion of several jurisdictional problems: in particular he deals with the relationship between the Court of Delegates and certain other Judicial bodies, and with the extent of the Court's original jurisdiction. He devotes two chapters to commissions of delegacy and commissions of review, analysing the rules which governed the right of a party to appeal to the Court of Delegates, and also to appeal from a decision of that Court. The central portion of the book is devoted to procedure: the various stages through which an appeal passed are set out in detail, and particular attention is paid to the taking of evidence.