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Abstract of an Act for extending 
the Trial by Jury to Civil’ 
Causes in Scotland. 
In the preamble it is said, that 
whereas Trial by Jury in Civil 
Causes would be attended with 
beneficial effects in that part of 
the United Kingdom called Scot- 
land, it is however expedient, that 
such trials, foratime to belimited, 
should in the first instance be con- 
fined to issues directed by either 
division of the Court of Session. 
The Court of Session isin conse- 
quence empowered) in all cases 
wherein matters of fact are to be 
proved, to direct issues to be sent 
to a'court to be appointed for the 
Trial by Jury. 
The court instituted: for this’ 
purpose is to’consist of one. Chief 
Judge, and two other judges, no+ 
minated under the seal of Scot- 
Jand from the Senators of the 
College of Justice, or Barons of 
the Court of Exchequer in Scot- 
Jand, and to hold their places ad 
witam-or ad culpam. The’ issues 
sent to this court may be tried be- 
fore one or more of these coni- 
missioners, the chief commissioner 
being considered the presiding 
judge. The causes may be tried 
either in Edinburgh, or in time of 
vacation, inthe circuit towns. The 
judge or presiding judge, to make 
# return to the Division or Lord 
ANNUAL REGISTER, 1815. 
Ordinary directing the issue, of a 
copy of the jury’s verdict, and to 
report theproceedings onthe trial, 
if directed. The jury tobe sum- 
moned in the same manner as at 
present to the High Court of Jus- 
ticiary ; the number summoned, 
not to be less than 36, nor more 
than 50. The names of all such’ 
as are not challenged, to be put in’ 
a balloting box, and 12 to be 
drawn out for the trial. Either: 
of the parties to be allowed to ap- 
ply for a'special jury. Verdictsto 
be given by the agreement of the 
whole number of jurors: and if 
they do not agree within twelve 
hours, to’ be discharged, and an- 
other jury summoned; or else 
the division of the Court of Ses- 
sion which directed the issue, may’ 
dispose of the cause in the manner 
at present practised. The Court 
of Session and the Commissioners’ 
of the Jury Court may from time 
to time appoint a committee, for 
the framing of rules and regula- 
tions respecting the form of pro- 
cess and manner of proceeding id 
the Jury Court. The provisions 
of this act to’ endure for seven 
years and no’ longer ; and returns 
to be made to parliament: of the 
proceedings had under the act, 
once in every year, for the pur- 
pose of framing such future re- 
gulations as may be necessary. 
