VPRS 11666 Court of Petty Sessions Record Book

Courts of Petty Sessions (now known as Magistrates' Courts) dealt with a very large range of "minor" court matters. Cases were heard in three jurisdictions: criminal, civil, and licensing. In the nineteenth century they provided the lowest level of redress in civil and criminal matters. The County Court and the Supreme Court heard and determined more serious criminal cases and larger civil disputes. The licensing jurisdiction included both liquor and non-liquor licensing matters until 1886 when separate liquor Licensing Courts were established.The clerks of Petty Sessions were required to keep a record of all decisions and orders made by Courts of Petty Sessions. This record is the authoritative record of the court. Information is entered under the headings of date, title of the cause, depositions and adjudication.