Justice of Chester
Encyclopedia
The Justice of Chester was the chief judicial authority for the County Palatine
of Chester
, from the establishment of the county until the abolition of the Great Sessions in Wales and the palatine judicature in 1830.
Within the County Palatine (which encompassed Cheshire
, the City of Chester
, and Flintshire
), the Justice enjoyed the jurisdiction possessed in England by the Court of Common Pleas
and the King's Bench
. While the legal reorganization of Wales and the Marches
under Henry VIII
diminished the authority of the Earl of Chester
(i.e., the Prince of Wales
) in the County Palatine, the authority of the Justice was, in fact, increased. In 1542, the Great Sessions were established in Wales, that country being divided into four circuits of three shires each. Denbighshire
, Flintshire
, and Montgomeryshire
were made part of the Chester circuit, over which the Justice presided. Under Elizabeth I
, a second justice was added to each of the Welsh circuits, after which the senior and junior justice are generally referred to as the Chief Justice of Chester and the Second or Puisne Justice of Chester.
Because the Cheshire justices were free to practice as barrister
s in the English courts or sit in Parliament
, the post of Chief Justice was often awarded as a form of patronage
by the Government to aspiring lawyers. The offices of Chief and Puisne Justice
were abolished in 1830, as part of reforms that also brought Wales under the jurisdiction of the courts at Westminster.
Offices abolished 1830
County palatine
A county palatine or palatinate is an area ruled by an hereditary nobleman possessing special authority and autonomy from the rest of a kingdom or empire. The name derives from the Latin adjective palatinus, "relating to the palace", from the noun palatium, "palace"...
of Chester
Earl of Chester
The Earldom of Chester was one of the most powerful earldoms in medieval England. Since 1301 the title has generally been granted to heirs-apparent to the English throne, and from the late 14th century it has been given only in conjunction with that of Prince of Wales.- Honour of Chester :The...
, from the establishment of the county until the abolition of the Great Sessions in Wales and the palatine judicature in 1830.
Within the County Palatine (which encompassed Cheshire
Cheshire
Cheshire is a ceremonial county in North West England. Cheshire's county town is the city of Chester, although its largest town is Warrington. Other major towns include Widnes, Congleton, Crewe, Ellesmere Port, Runcorn, Macclesfield, Winsford, Northwich, and Wilmslow...
, the City of Chester
Chester
Chester is a city in Cheshire, England. Lying on the River Dee, close to the border with Wales, it is home to 77,040 inhabitants, and is the largest and most populous settlement of the wider unitary authority area of Cheshire West and Chester, which had a population of 328,100 according to the...
, and Flintshire
Flintshire
Flintshire is a county in north-east Wales. It borders Denbighshire, Wrexham and the English county of Cheshire. It is named after the historic county of Flintshire, which had notably different borders...
), the Justice enjoyed the jurisdiction possessed in England by the Court of Common Pleas
Court of Common Pleas (England)
The Court of Common Pleas, or Common Bench, was a common law court in the English legal system that covered "common pleas"; actions between subject and subject, which did not concern the king. Created in the late 12th to early 13th century after splitting from the Exchequer of Pleas, the Common...
and the King's Bench
King's Bench
The Queen's Bench is the superior court in a number of jurisdictions within some of the Commonwealth realms...
. While the legal reorganization of Wales and the Marches
Welsh Marches
The Welsh Marches is a term which, in modern usage, denotes an imprecisely defined area along and around the border between England and Wales in the United Kingdom. The precise meaning of the term has varied at different periods...
under Henry VIII
Henry VIII of England
Henry VIII was King of England from 21 April 1509 until his death. He was Lord, and later King, of Ireland, as well as continuing the nominal claim by the English monarchs to the Kingdom of France...
diminished the authority of the Earl of Chester
Earl of Chester
The Earldom of Chester was one of the most powerful earldoms in medieval England. Since 1301 the title has generally been granted to heirs-apparent to the English throne, and from the late 14th century it has been given only in conjunction with that of Prince of Wales.- Honour of Chester :The...
(i.e., the Prince of Wales
Prince of Wales
Prince of Wales is a title traditionally granted to the heir apparent to the reigning monarch of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the 15 other independent Commonwealth realms...
) in the County Palatine, the authority of the Justice was, in fact, increased. In 1542, the Great Sessions were established in Wales, that country being divided into four circuits of three shires each. Denbighshire
Denbighshire
Denbighshire is a county in north-east Wales. It is named after the historic county of Denbighshire, but has substantially different borders. Denbighshire has the distinction of being the oldest inhabited part of Wales. Pontnewydd Palaeolithic site has remains of Neanderthals from 225,000 years...
, Flintshire
Flintshire
Flintshire is a county in north-east Wales. It borders Denbighshire, Wrexham and the English county of Cheshire. It is named after the historic county of Flintshire, which had notably different borders...
, and Montgomeryshire
Montgomeryshire
Montgomeryshire, also known as Maldwyn is one of thirteen historic counties and a former administrative county of Wales. Montgomeryshire is still used as a vice-county for wildlife recording...
were made part of the Chester circuit, over which the Justice presided. Under Elizabeth I
Elizabeth I of England
Elizabeth I was queen regnant of England and Ireland from 17 November 1558 until her death. Sometimes called The Virgin Queen, Gloriana, or Good Queen Bess, Elizabeth was the fifth and last monarch of the Tudor dynasty...
, a second justice was added to each of the Welsh circuits, after which the senior and junior justice are generally referred to as the Chief Justice of Chester and the Second or Puisne Justice of Chester.
Because the Cheshire justices were free to practice as barrister
Barrister
A barrister is a member of one of the two classes of lawyer found in many common law jurisdictions with split legal professions. Barristers specialise in courtroom advocacy, drafting legal pleadings and giving expert legal opinions...
s in the English courts or sit in Parliament
Parliament of the United Kingdom
The Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the supreme legislative body in the United Kingdom, British Crown dependencies and British overseas territories, located in London...
, the post of Chief Justice was often awarded as a form of patronage
Patronage
Patronage is the support, encouragement, privilege, or financial aid that an organization or individual bestows to another. In the history of art, arts patronage refers to the support that kings or popes have provided to musicians, painters, and sculptors...
by the Government to aspiring lawyers. The offices of Chief and Puisne Justice
Puisne Justice
A Puisne Justice or Puisne Judge is the title for a regular member of a Court. This is distinguished from the head of the Court who is known as the Chief Justice or Chief Judge. The term is used almost exclusively in common law jurisdictions such as England, Australia, Kenya, Canada, Sri Lanka,...
were abolished in 1830, as part of reforms that also brought Wales under the jurisdiction of the courts at Westminster.
Justices of Chester
- Sir John HollandJohn Holland, 1st Duke of ExeterJohn Holland, 1st Duke of Exeter KG , also 1st Earl of Huntingdon, was an English nobleman, primarily remembered for helping cause the downfall of Thomas of Woodstock, 1st Duke of Gloucester and then for conspiring against Henry IV.He was the third son of Thomas Holland, 1st Earl of Kent and Joan...
1381–1385 - Edmund of Langley, 1st Duke of YorkEdmund of Langley, 1st Duke of YorkEdmund of Langley, 1st Duke of York, 1st Earl of Cambridge, KG was a younger son of King Edward III of England and Philippa of Hainault, the fourth of the five sons who lived to adulthood, of this Royal couple. Like so many medieval princes, Edmund gained his identifying nickname from his...
1385–1387 - Robert de Vere, Duke of IrelandRobert de Vere, Duke of IrelandRobert de Vere, Duke of Ireland, Marquess of Dublin, and 9th Earl of Oxford KG was a favourite and court companion of King Richard II of England.-Royal favour:...
1387–1388 - Thomas of Woodstock, 1st Duke of GloucesterThomas of Woodstock, 1st Duke of GloucesterThomas of Woodstock, 1st Duke of Gloucester, 1st Earl of Buckingham, 1st Earl of Essex, Duke of Aumale, KG was the thirteenth and youngest child of King Edward III of England and Philippa of Hainault...
1388–1391 - John Holland, 1st Duke of ExeterJohn Holland, 1st Duke of ExeterJohn Holland, 1st Duke of Exeter KG , also 1st Earl of Huntingdon, was an English nobleman, primarily remembered for helping cause the downfall of Thomas of Woodstock, 1st Duke of Gloucester and then for conspiring against Henry IV.He was the third son of Thomas Holland, 1st Earl of Kent and Joan...
1391–1394 - Thomas de Mowbray, 1st Duke of NorfolkThomas de Mowbray, 1st Duke of NorfolkThomas de Mowbray, 1st Duke of Norfolk, KG, Lord Marshal and Earl Marshal was an English nobleman.-Life:...
1394–1398 - William le Scrope, 1st Earl of WiltshireWilliam le Scrope, 1st Earl of WiltshireSir William le Scrope, 1st Earl of Wiltshire, King of Mann KG was a close supporter of King Richard II of England. He was a second son of Richard le Scrope, 1st Baron Scrope of Bolton.-Life:...
1398–1399 - Henry PercyHenry Percy, 1st Earl of NorthumberlandHenry Percy, 1st Earl of Northumberland, 4th Baron Percy, titular King of Mann, KG, Lord Marshal was the son of Henry de Percy, 3rd Baron Percy and a descendent of Henry III of England. His mother was Mary of Lancaster, daughter of Henry, 3rd Earl of Lancaster, son of Edmund, Earl of Leicester and...
1400–1403 - Gilbert Talbot, 5th Baron Talbot 1403–1419
- Thomas Beaufort, Duke of ExeterThomas Beaufort, Duke of ExeterThomas Beaufort, 1st Duke of Exeter, KG was an English military commander during the Hundred Years' War, and briefly Chancellor of England. He was the third of four children; the son of John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, and his mistress Katherine Swynford...
1420–1427 - Humphrey, Duke of GloucesterHumphrey, Duke of GloucesterHumphrey of Lancaster, 1st Duke of Gloucester, 1st Earl of Pembroke, KG , also known as Humphrey Plantagenet, was "son, brother and uncle of kings", being the fourth and youngest son of king Henry IV of England by his first wife, Mary de Bohun, brother to king Henry V of England, and uncle to the...
1427–1440 - William de la Pole, 1st Duke of SuffolkWilliam de la Pole, 1st Duke of SuffolkWilliam de la Pole, 1st Duke of Suffolk, KG , nicknamed Jack Napes , was an important English soldier and commander in the Hundred Years' War, and later Lord Chamberlain of England.He also appears prominently in William Shakespeare's Henry VI, part 1 and Henry VI, part 2 and other...
1440–1450 - Thomas Stanley, 1st Baron StanleyThomas Stanley, 1st Baron StanleyThomas Stanley, 1st Baron Stanley, titular King of Mann, KG , was an English politician.-Life:Stanley was the son of Sir John Stanley and Isabell Harington, daughter of Robert de Harington and Isabel Loring...
1443–1459 (joint) - John Talbot, 2nd Earl of ShrewsburyJohn Talbot, 2nd Earl of ShrewsburyJohn Talbot, 2nd Earl of Shrewsbury, 2nd Earl of Waterford, 8th Baron Talbot, KG was an English nobleman and soldier. He was the son of John Talbot, 1st Earl of Shrewsbury and Maud Nevill, 6th Baroness Furnivall...
1459–1460 - Thomas Stanley, 1st Earl of DerbyThomas Stanley, 1st Earl of DerbyThomas Stanley, 1st Earl of Derby, KG was titular King of Mann, an English nobleman and stepfather to King Henry VII of England...
1461–?
- Richard, Duke of GloucesterRichard III of EnglandRichard III was King of England for two years, from 1483 until his death in 1485 during the Battle of Bosworth Field. He was the last king of the House of York and the last of the Plantagenet dynasty...
1471–?
- Sir Thomas EnglefieldThomas EnglefieldSir Thomas Englefield was Speaker of the House of Commons.He was born to John Englefield, probably in Englefield in Berkshire around 1455, whose family had been Lords of the Manor there for many generations...
1505–1514?
- Sir Nicholas HareNicholas HareSir Nicholas Hare of Bruisyard, Suffolk was Speaker of the House of Commons of England between 1539-1540.He was born the eldest son of John Hare of Homersfield, Suffolk, educated at Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge and admitted to the Inner Temple in 1515...
1540–1545
- Sir Robert Townshend 1545–?
- Sir George Bromley 1564–1589
- Richard Shuttleworth 1589–1592
- Sir Richard Lewknor 1592–1616
Chief and Puisne Justices of Chester
| Year | Chief Justice | Puisne Justice |
|---|---|---|
| 1603 | Sir Richard Lewknor Richard Lewknor Richard Lewknor was an English politician who sat in the House of Commons between 1621 and 1629.Lewknor was the son of Christopher Lewknor, recorder of Chichester, and his wife Mary May, daughter of John May of Rawmere, Sussex.... |
Henry Townshend |
| 1616 | Sir Thomas Chamberlayne Thomas Chamberlayne Sir Thomas Chamberlayne, SL was an English judge who served as Chief Justice of Chester during the reign of James I of England.... |
|
| 1620 | Sir James Whitelocke James Whitelocke Sir James Whitelocke SL was an English judge.-Early life:He was the younger of posthumous twin sons of Richard Whitelocke, merchant, of London, by Joan Brockhurst, widow, daughter of John Colte of Little Munden, Hertfordshire. His twin-brother, William, served under Francis Drake, and fell at sea... |
|
| 1624 | Sir Thomas Chamberlayne Thomas Chamberlayne Sir Thomas Chamberlayne, SL was an English judge who served as Chief Justice of Chester during the reign of James I of England.... |
|
| 1625 | Sir John Bridgeman | Marmaduke Lloyd Marmaduke Lloyd Sir Marmaduke Lloyd was a Welsh lawyer and landowner and a supporter of King Charles I of England during the English Civil War.... |
| 1636 | Richard Prytherg | |
| 1638 | Sir Thomas Milward | |
| 1648 | John Bradshaw John Bradshaw (judge) John Bradshaw was an English judge. He is most notable for his role as President of the High Court of Justice for the trial of King Charles I and as the first Lord President of the Council of State of the English Commonwealth.... |
Peter Warburton Peter Warburton Colonel Peter Egerton Warburton CMG was an English explorer who made one particularly daring expedition from Adelaide to cross the centre of Australia to the coast of Western Australia via Alice Springs in 1872.The younger brother of Rowland Egerton-Warburton, Warburton was educated at home and... |
| 1649 | Thomas Fell Thomas Fell Thomas Fell , was vice-chancellor of the duchy of Lancaster.Fell was born at Hawkeswell, near Ulverston. He was the son of George Fell, a gentleman of ancient Lancashire family. He was admitted student of Gray's Inn in 1623, called to the bar in 1631, and practised successfully for several years... |
|
| 1660 | Timothy Turner Timothy Turner Sir Timothy Turner SL JP was an English judge.Turner was the eldest son of the Shropshire barrister Thomas Turner. He was a member of Staple Inn and then joined Gray's Inn on 8 March 1607, being called to the bar on 30 October 1611... |
|
| 1661 | Sir Geoffrey Palmer, Bt Sir Geoffrey Palmer, 1st Baronet Sir Geoffrey Palmer, 1st Baronet, SL was an English lawyer and politician.Born in Carlton, Northamptonshire, he obtained a BA from Christ's College, Cambridge in 1616 and a MA 1619. He was admitted to the Middle Temple on 14 June 1616 and called to the bar on 23 May 1623... |
Robert Milward |
| 1662 | Sir Job Charlton Job Charlton Sir Job Charlton, 1st Baronet KS was Speaker of the House of Commons of England from 4 February 1673 to 18 February 1673... |
|
| 1674 | George Johnson | |
| 1680 | Sir George Jeffreys George Jeffreys, 1st Baron Jeffreys George Jeffreys, 1st Baron Jeffreys of Wem, PC , also known as "The Hanging Judge", was an English judge. He became notable during the reign of King James II, rising to the position of Lord Chancellor .- Early years and education :Jeffreys was born at the family estate of Acton Hall, near Wrexham,... |
|
| 1681 | John Warren | |
| 1684 | Sir Edward Herbert Edward Herbert (judge) Sir Edward Herbert , titular Earl of Portland, was an English judge who served as Chief Justice of the King’s Bench during the reign of James II.-Early life and career:... |
|
| 1686 | Sir Edward Lutwyche | |
| 1686 | Sir Job Charlton Job Charlton Sir Job Charlton, 1st Baronet KS was Speaker of the House of Commons of England from 4 February 1673 to 18 February 1673... |
|
| 1689 | Sir John Trenchard John Trenchard (Secretary of State) Sir John Trenchard was an English politician belonging to an old Dorset family. His father was Thomas Trenchard of Wolverton , and his grandfather was Sir Thomas Trenchard of Wolverton... |
Lyttelton Powis |
| 1690 | John Coombe | |
| 1696 | Salathiel Lovel | |
| 1697 | Joseph Jekyll Joseph Jekyll Sir Joseph Jekyll KS was a British barrister, politician and judge. Born to John Jekyll, he initially attended a seminary before joining the Middle Temple in 1680. Thanks to his association with Lord Somers Jekyll advanced rapidly, becoming Chief Justice of Chester in 1697 and a King's Serjeant in... |
|
| 1707 | John Pocklington | |
| 1711 | John Warde | |
| 1714 | Edward Jeffreys Edward Jeffreys Edward Winnington or Jeffreys was a son of Sir Francis Winnington and a younger brother of Salwey Winnington.Winnington was called to the bar at the Middle Temple on 18 May 1694... |
|
| 1717 | Spencer Cowper Spencer Cowper Spencer Cowper, MP and barrister was born in 1670, the second son of Sir William Cowper, 2nd Baronet of Hertford, and his wife, Lady Sarah Cowper, the diarist, and the daughter of Samuel Holled, a London merchant... |
|
| 1726 | John Willes John Willes (judge) Sir John Willes was an English lawyer and judge who was the longest-serving Chief Justice of the Court of Common Pleas since the 15th century. He was also a Member of Parliament.... |
|
| 1729 | Sir John Willes John Willes (judge) Sir John Willes was an English lawyer and judge who was the longest-serving Chief Justice of the Court of Common Pleas since the 15th century. He was also a Member of Parliament.... |
William Jessop William Jessop William Jessop was an English civil engineer, best known for his work on canals, harbours and early railways in the late 18th and early 19th centuries.-Early life:... |
| 1734 | John Verney | Richard Pottinger |
| 1738 | Matthew Skinner | |
| 1740 | John Talbot John Talbot (judge) The Honourable John Talbot was a British judge and Member of Parliament.Talbot was the third son of Charles Talbot, 1st Baron Talbot, who served as Lord Chancellor from 1733 to 1737. Training as a lawyer, John entered Lincoln's Inn in 1734 and was called to the bar in 1737... |
|
| 1749 | William Noel | |
| 1756 | Taylor White | |
| 1762 | John Morton John Morton (MP) John Morton was an English Tory politician.He was appointed Chief Justice of Chester in November 1762.In 1765, a Bill of Regency came before Parliament, to make provisions should George III die unexpectedly... |
|
| 1771 | John Skynner | |
| 1777 | Francis Buller Sir Francis Buller, 1st Baronet Sir Francis Buller, 1st Baronet was an English judge.-Life:Buller was born at Downes House in Devon, the son of James Buller, Member of Parliament for Cornwall, and his wife Lady Jane, daughter of Allen Bathurst, 1st Earl Bathurst. He was educated at the King's School, Ottery St Mary, and... |
|
| 1778 | Daines Barrington Daines Barrington Daines Barrington, FRS was an English lawyer, antiquary and naturalist.Barrington was the fourth son of the first Viscount Barrington. He was educated for the profession of the law, and after filling various posts, was appointed a Welsh judge in 1757 and afterwards second justice of Chester... |
|
| 1780 | Lloyd Kenyon Lloyd Kenyon, 1st Baron Kenyon Lloyd Kenyon, 1st Baron Kenyon, PC, SL, KC was a British politician and barrister, who served as Attorney General, Master of the Rolls and Lord Chief Justice. Born to a country gentleman, he was initially educated in Hanmer before moving to Ruthin School aged 12... |
|
| 1784 | Richard Pepper Arden Richard Pepper Arden, 1st Baron Alvanley Richard Pepper Arden, 1st Baron Alvanley PC, KC was a British barrister and politician.He was born on 20 May 1744 in Bredbury, the son of John Arden , and Mary Pepper, and baptised on 20 June 1744 in Stockport. Educated at The Manchester Grammar School, he matriculated at Trinity College,... |
|
| 1788 | Edward Bearcroft Edward Bearcroft Edward Bearcroft, KC was an English barrister, judge, and politician.Bearcroft, a member of the Inner Temple, was called to the bar on 24 November 1758 and made King's Counsel in 1772. He unsuccessfully contested Worcester in 1774, but was returned as Member of Parliament for Hindon in 1784... |
Francis Burton Francis Burton Francis Burton , from Buncraggy, County Clare, was an Irish politician.He was a Member of Parliament for Coleraine from 1721 until 1727 and sat subsequently in the Irish House of Commons for Clare from 1727 until his death in 17434.-Family:He married the sister of Henry Conyngham, 1st Earl Conyngham... |
| 1796 | James Adair James Adair (serjeant) James Adair, KS was an Irish serjeant-at-law.He was admitted to Peterhouse, Cambridge, and took a B.A. in 1764, and M.A. in 1767. He was educated in law and in due course called to the bar by the society of Lincoln's Inn... |
|
| 1798 | William Grant | |
| 1799 | James Mansfield James Mansfield Sir James Mansfield , SL, KC was a British lawyer, judge and politician. He was twice Solicitor General and served as Chief Justice of the Common Pleas from 1799 to 1814.-Early life and career:... |
|
| 1804 | Vicary Gibbs Vicary Gibbs Sir Vicary Gibbs, KC was an English judge and politician. He was known for his caustic wit, which won for him the sobriquet of "Vinegar Gibbs".-Early life and education :... |
|
| 1804 | Robert Dallas Robert Dallas Sir Robert Dallas , PC, SL KC was an English judge, of a Scottish family.Robert Charles Dallas was born at Kingston, Jamaica in 1756. Dallas and his brother George were educated first at James Elphinstone's school in Kensington, and then in Geneva, by the pastor Chauvet. He entered Lincoln's Inn... |
|
| 1813 | Richard Richards Richard Richards (MP) Sir Richard Richards SL was a Welsh politician and judge. He was Member of Parliament for Helston on two occasions, but only made one speech in Parliament... |
|
| 1814 | Sir William Garrow William Garrow Sir William Garrow KC, PC, FRS was a British barrister, politician and judge known for his indirect reform of the advocacy system, which helped usher in the adversarial court system used in most common law nations today... |
|
| 1815 | William Draper Best | |
| 1816 | Samuel Marshall | |
| 1817 | John Leach John Leach (Judge) Sir John Leach, KC was an English judge.-Life:The son of Richard Leach, a coppersmith of Bedford, he was born in that town on 28 Augusr 1760. After leaving Bedford grammar school he became a pupil of Sir Robert Taylor the architect... |
Thomas Jervis Thomas Jervis Thomas Jervis was an English judge, the last Puisne Justice of Chester until the abolition of the office in 1830. He was also Member of Parliament for Great Yarmouth. With Mary Ann née Dixon Old Swinford, Worcestershire, he had three sons and a daughter. The family name was from a noble ancestor... |
| 1818 | William Draper Best | |
| 1818 | John Copley John Copley, 1st Baron Lyndhurst John Singleton Copley, 1st Baron Lyndhurst PC KS FRS , was a British lawyer and politician. He was three times Lord Chancellor of Great Britain.-Background and education:... |
|
| 1819 | Charles Warren Charles Warren General Sir Charles Warren, GCMG, KCB, FRS was an officer in the British Royal Engineers. He was one of the earliest European archaeologists of Biblical Holy Land, and particularly of Temple Mount... |
Offices abolished 1830