NRS-13683 | Letters and memorials received, and drafts of letters sent by the Chief Justice and/or judges

Full description

This series is extremely heterogeneous and incomplete, falling into three main categories: letters received from the Commander, H.M. Forces (notifications of sentences imposed at General Courts Martial, so that transportation orders may be made out), the Sheriff (concerning conditions at debtors' prison), and officers of the Supreme Court (tendering resignations, requesting salary increases); and memorials and petitions received concerning allegations of professional misconduct against attornies and trustees, petitioning for mitigation of sentences, applying for assistance in the prosecution of causes (where the prospective complainant cannot proceed through lack of funds), appealing against judgments or orders made by Supreme Court judges or judges in inferior courts. Petitions of a "general" nature (eg. against conditions in debtors' prison) are also included.

Also included are copies and drafts of letters sent: to the Governor and Colonial Secretary concerning proposed legislation (eg. the preparation and issue of deeds of grant of Crown lands), transmitting rules of court, and replying to matters submitted to the judges for their opinion (eg. the division of the legal profession, the causes of delay in the business of the Attorney General, the provision of sureties for performance of duty by officers of the court). Draft reports in capital convictions handed down, the competence of jury verdicts in the colony, and the procedure of barristers and attorneys at Quarter Sessions sittings are included, and letters to the Secretary of State concerning provision for judges' salaries and pensions upon retirement, and the revocation of the commission of Willis, J. (resident judge at Port Phillip), and to the Sheriff regarding bailiff's charges and conditions in debtors' prison.

Letters and memorials received have, in many cases, marginal annotations by judges - in some cases by each judge in rotation. Draft copies of out-letters may also be included.

Chief Justices and Acting Chief Justices who were likely to have contributed to the compilation of the correspondence were

Sir Francis Forbes CJ 1824 - 1837
Sir James Dowling ACJ 1936 - 1937
Sir Alfred Stephen CJ 1844 - 1845.
(5/4760-61). 2 boxes.

Note:
This description is extracted from Concise Guide to the State Archives of New South Wales, 3rd Edition 2000.