Functions of local courts
The following source list was originally available only on paper in one of the West Yorkshire Archive Service offices. It may have been compiled many years ago and could be out of date. It was designed to act as a signpost to records of interest on a particular historical subject, but may relate only to one West Yorkshire district, or be an incomplete list of sources available.
| Type of case/function | Records held at WYAS | Records held at TNA | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adultery | Quarter Sessions | ||
| Apprenticeship disputes | Quarter Sessions | ||
| Arson | Assize Courts, Crown Courts | ||
| Assault | Petty Sessions, Magistrates Courts | ||
| Bankruptcy | Quarter Sessions, County Courts | ||
| Breach of contract | Quarter Sessions, County Courts | ||
| Burglary | Assize Courts, Crown Courts | ||
| Children’s welfare | Petty Sessions, Magistrates Courts | ||
| Claims for debts | Quarter Sessions, County Courts | ||
| Common assault | Petty Sessions, Magistrates Courts | ||
| Domestic and matrimonial cases | Magistrates Courts | ||
| Deposit of plans for public undertakings eg railways, canals, gas lighting schemes | Quarter Sessions | ||
| Drunk and disorderly | Petty Sessions, Magistrates Courts | ||
| Forgery | Assize Courts, Crown Courts | ||
| Grievous bodily harm | Assize Courts, Crown Courts | ||
| Illegitimacy | Petty Sessions, Quarter Sessions | ||
| Inheritance disputes | Petty Sessions, Quarter Sessions, County Courts | ||
| Larceny | Petty Sessions | Assize Courts, Crown Courts | |
| Licensing of itinerant traders | Quarter Sessions | ||
| Licensing of public houses | Petty Sessions, Magistrates Courts | ||
| Licensing and inspecting of asylums | Quarter Sessions (until 1888) | ||
| Maintenance of county buildings | Quarter Sessions (until 1888) | ||
| Manslaughter | Assize Courts, Crown Courts | ||
| Murder | Quarter Sessions | Assize Courts, Crown Courts | |
| Poaching | Petty Sessions | ||
| Police and militia (supervision of) | Quarter Sessions (until 1888) | ||
| Poor law | Quarter Sessions (before 1843) | ||
| Personal injury | County Courts (from 1846) | ||
| Prostitution | Quarter Sessions | ||
| Rape | Assize Courts, Crown Courts | ||
| Registration of boats, barges etc | Quarter Sessions | ||
| Registration of non-conformists/Roman Catholics | Quarter Sessions | ||
| Registration of Friendly Societies, Freemasons lodges, and scientific societies | Quarter Sessions | ||
| Repair of roads and bridges | Quarter Sessions (until 1835) | ||
| Repossessions | Quarter Sessions, County Courts | ||
| Rioting | Assize Courts, Crown Courts | ||
| Robbery | Assize Courts, Crown Courts | ||
| Theft | Petty Sessions, Quarter Sessions, County Courts | ||
| Traffic offences | Magistrates Courts | ||
| Treason | Assize Courts, Crown Courts | ||
| Trespass | Petty Sessions, Quarter Sessions, County Courts | ||
| Vagrancy | Petty Sessions, Quarter Sessions, County Courts | ||
| Weights and measures | Quarter Sessions (until 1888) | ||
| Witchcraft | Quarter Sessions | Assize Courts |
WYAS - West Yorkshire Archive Service
TNA - The National Archives, London
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