Bill Chamber

Bill Chamber, the term applied to that department of the Court of Session in Scotland in which a judge presides at all times during session and vacation. The youngest judge is Lord Ordinary on the bills during session; the duty is performed by all the judges in rotation (except the two presidents) during vacation. All proceedings for summary remedies or in resistance to threatened process are initiated in the "Bill Chamber," such as prohibitions or injunctions against inferior courts, suspension of writs of execution, etc. Sequestration (which is analogous to bankruptcy in England) proceedings also originate in this department. Most of the proceedings therein are matters of form, requiring only the judge's sanction, who is advised by the clerks on perusal of the papers presented if in proper form. On a question of law arising, the same is remitted to the Court of Session, and the arguments brought forward and decided upon, as in an ordinary action. The Lord Ordinary on the bills represents the court during vacation time. A large portion of his duties is regulated by the statute 1 & 2 Vict. c. 86.