Regality
Encyclopedia
A regality was a territorial jurisdiction in old Scots law which might be created by the King only, by granting lands to a subject in liberam regalitatem, and also the tract of land over which such a right extended.
A lord of regality had a civil jurisdiction equal to that of the King's sheriff
, and more extensive criminal jurisdiction, equivalent to that of the High Court of Justiciary
(except for treason
). A regality was a superior jurisdiction to a barony, and might be exercised over baronies within the regality. The jurisdiction was exercised by the regality court, usually presided over by the bailie or his deputy, and composed of the suitors of court, who held lands by suit of court.
Initially regalities were a part of the system of government, delegated jurisdiction, but from the fourteenth century the lords of regality frequently sought to usurp royal authority and establish semi-independent domains. But in the fifteenth century regalities again became a means of governing by delegated authority. Regalities and regality jurisdictions were abolished by the Heritable Jurisdictions (Scotland) Act 1746
.
A lord of regality had a civil jurisdiction equal to that of the King's sheriff
Sheriff
A sheriff is in principle a legal official with responsibility for a county. In practice, the specific combination of legal, political, and ceremonial duties of a sheriff varies greatly from country to country....
, and more extensive criminal jurisdiction, equivalent to that of the High Court of Justiciary
High Court of Justiciary
The High Court of Justiciary is the supreme criminal court of Scotland.The High Court is both a court of first instance and a court of appeal. As a court of first instance, the High Court sits mainly in Parliament House, or in the former Sheriff Court building, in Edinburgh, but also sits from time...
(except for treason
Treason
In law, treason is the crime that covers some of the more extreme acts against one's sovereign or nation. Historically, treason also covered the murder of specific social superiors, such as the murder of a husband by his wife. Treason against the king was known as high treason and treason against a...
). A regality was a superior jurisdiction to a barony, and might be exercised over baronies within the regality. The jurisdiction was exercised by the regality court, usually presided over by the bailie or his deputy, and composed of the suitors of court, who held lands by suit of court.
Initially regalities were a part of the system of government, delegated jurisdiction, but from the fourteenth century the lords of regality frequently sought to usurp royal authority and establish semi-independent domains. But in the fifteenth century regalities again became a means of governing by delegated authority. Regalities and regality jurisdictions were abolished by the Heritable Jurisdictions (Scotland) Act 1746
Heritable Jurisdictions (Scotland) Act 1746
The Heritable Jurisdictions Act 1746 was an Act of the British Parliament passed in the aftermath of the Jacobite rising of 1745....
.