New York Court of Chancery
Encyclopedia
The New York Court of Chancery was established during the colonial administration on August 28, 1701, the colonial governor acting as Chancellor. The New York State Constitution of 1777 continued the court but required a lawyer to be appointed Chancellor. It was the court with jurisdiction on cases of equity in the state of New York
from 1777 to 1847. It served also as a court of appeal which reexamined cases decided by the New York State Supreme Court.
The Chancellor of New York, during the existence of the post, was the highest judicial officer in the state. From 1777 to 1822, he was an ex officio member of the Council of Revision
. The Chancellor was also an ex officio member of the Court for the Trial of Impeachments and Correction of Errors
in which his decisions could be appealed.
The Court of Chancery was abolished by the New York State Constitutional Convention of 1846, which reorganized the New York state judicial system. This became effective on July 5, 1847, when its equity jurisdiction was transferred to the New York Supreme Court
and its appellate jurisdiction was transferred to the New York Court of Appeals
. The Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals succeeded the Chancellor as the Head of the State's judicial system.
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
from 1777 to 1847. It served also as a court of appeal which reexamined cases decided by the New York State Supreme Court.
The Chancellor of New York, during the existence of the post, was the highest judicial officer in the state. From 1777 to 1822, he was an ex officio member of the Council of Revision
Council of Revision
The Council of Revision was, under the provisions of the Constitution of the State of New York of 1777, the legal body that revised all new legislation made by the New York State Legislature....
. The Chancellor was also an ex officio member of the Court for the Trial of Impeachments and Correction of Errors
New York Court for the Trial of Impeachments
The Court for the Trial of Impeachments, and the Correction of Errors was established by the New York State Constitution of 1777. It consisted then of the Lieutenant Governor of New York , the Chancellor, the justices of the New York Supreme Court and the members of the New York State Senate...
in which his decisions could be appealed.
The Court of Chancery was abolished by the New York State Constitutional Convention of 1846, which reorganized the New York state judicial system. This became effective on July 5, 1847, when its equity jurisdiction was transferred to the New York Supreme Court
New York Supreme Court
The Supreme Court of the State of New York is the trial-level court of general jurisdiction in thestate court system of New York, United States. There is a supreme court in each of New York State's 62 counties, although some smaller counties share judges with neighboring counties...
and its appellate jurisdiction was transferred to the New York Court of Appeals
New York Court of Appeals
The New York Court of Appeals is the highest court in the U.S. state of New York. The Court of Appeals consists of seven judges: the Chief Judge and six associate judges who are appointed by the Governor to 14-year terms...
. The Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals succeeded the Chancellor as the Head of the State's judicial system.
List of Chancellors of New York
- 1777 - 1801 Robert R. LivingstonRobert Livingston (1746-1813)Robert R Livingston was an American lawyer, politician, diplomat from New York, and a Founding Father of the United States. He was known as "The Chancellor," after the office he held for 25 years....
- 1801 - 1814 John Ten Eyck Lansing, JrJohn Lansing, Jr.John Ten Eyck Lansing, Jr. , was an American lawyer and politician. He was the uncle of Gerrit Y. Lansing.-Career:...
- 1814 - 1823 James KentJames KentJames Kent was an American jurist and legal scholar.-Life:...
- 1823 - 1826 Nathan SanfordNathan SanfordNathan Sanford was an American politician.- Life :He was the son of Thomas Sanford and Phebe Sanford, née Baker...
- 1826 - 1828 Samuel JonesSamuel Jones (chancellor)Samuel Jones Samuel Jones Samuel Jones (May 26, 1769 New York City - August 9, 1853 Cold Spring Harbor, New York was an American lawyer and politician.-Biography:He was the son of Samuel Jones (1734–1819). He graduated from Columbia University in 1790. He then studied law in his father's office and...
- 1828 - 1847 Reuben Hyde WalworthReuben H. WalworthReuben Hyde Walworth was an American lawyer and politician...
Sources
- The New York Civil List compiled by Franklin Benjamin Hough (pages 352f; Weed, Parsons and Co., 1858)