Sessions

Sessions, COURTS OF. Sessions of the Peace are sittings of the magistrates or justices of the peace for the exercise of their jurisdiction. They are of three kinds: petty, special, quarter or general sessions. (1) Petty Sessions is an occasional meeting of two or more justices for the transaction of business in which more than one justice is required. (2) Special Sessions is a meeting of two or more justices held for a special purpose, such as the licensing of an alehouse, etc. (3) Quarter or General Sessions is a Court of Record held every quarter for execution of the authority conferred on the justices by their Commission. Formerly they had jurisdiction to try cases of treason, murder, manslaughter, etc., but their jurisdiction is now restricted to comparatively petty offences.