DEVELOPMENT OF THE MAGISTRACY
THE KING’S JUDGES
In the latter part of the 12th century, King Henry 11 set up the Assize courts, which were courts held in the most important towns by the royal judges. This was done so that people accused of serious crimes in all parts of the country could receive a fair and speedy trial. Henry also provided that the royal judges should be assisted by juries.
KEEPERS OF THE PEACE
In the countryside the landowners were expected to see that the law was enforced and less important criminals punished. These country gentlemen, who gave their time without pay to help maintain the King’s Peace, became known as Justices of the Peace. At the Shire Court it was their duty to assist the Sheriff, who was the king’s representative in the county.
Justices of the Peace were chosen by the king. In each county, the justices met four times a year to transact their business. These meetings became known as the Quarter Sessions and were abolished only on 1st January 1972, when a new court system was introduced and established the Crown Court which had jurisdiction across the country.
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