In April 1975, the number of Norfolk petty sessional divisions was reduced to thirteen. Each Petty Sessions court created very similar records but the records were often called different names. This differentiation has often been retained in the lists, thus providing some confusion. Below is a summary of the main series of records to be found in Petty Sessions. Please note: Records are closed to public inspection for 30 to 75 years: contact us to check access details.
Registers of the Court
These give the definitive court record of cases heard and of the magistrates' judgements. They provide the bare minimum of information. For more details see evidence books.
Up to 1878-1915, registers appear to have survived for Borough Petty Sessions, but not for any County Petty Sessions. From 1915 to 1932, all County Petty Sessions Courts used standardised volumes with printed headings labelled 'Register of the Court'. From 1932 to 1967, new standard registers entitled 'Court Register and Fines and Fees Accounts' were used. From 1968, a new format called 'Register of the Court' was used. From the mid 1980s, a computer print out register was introduced.
Rough Minute Books A or Hearing Books
These were in effect draft registers. The standard 'Rough Minute Books A' were used in County Petty Sessions Courts from 1878-1894. From 1894-1915, these registers were called hearing books, but retained the same size and format.
Minute Books B or Fines and Fees Account Books
These give a financial record of the court, including details of fines levied and collected and fees of officials, in addition to judgements of the court.
The standard 'Minute Books B' were used in County Petty Sessions Courts from 1878-1916. From 1916 to 1932, these records were known as 'Fines and Fees Account Books'. From 1932 to 1967 these were merged with the Registers of the Court to form 'Court Register and Fines and Fees Accounts. From 1968, they once again became separate.
Registers of Licences (of public houses)
These give details of licences issued relating to the sale of alcohol.
From 1878 to 1902, they were known as 'Register of Licenses [sic.] C'. From 1902 to 1910, they were known as 'Register of Licences (Licensing Act, 1902)'. From 1910, they were known as 'Register of Licences (Licensing (Consolidation) Act, 1910'.
Evidence Books or Court Note Books
These are minutes (often in shorthand) of evidence spoken in court. They have no standardised format.
Other Typical Petty Sessions Records
Below is a list of other records which may be found in the archives of Petty Sessions.
- adoption registers (see also Family Records Centre web site)
- bail notices
- bastardy informations and orders
- cash committee minutes
- depositions
- employers and workmen act, 1875 papers
- juvenile court registers and evidence books
- legal aid papers
- moneylenders act, 1927 papers
- orders in lunacy
- plans of proposed alterations to public houses deposited with the licensing justices
- register of applications and transfers of all licences and of applications for structural alterations
- registers of betting and gaming licences
- registers of billiard licences
- registers of cinematograph licences
- register of clubs
- registers of certificates granted for the keeping of explosives in store
- registers of lodging house keepers under the inland revenue act 1890
- register of music and dancing licences
- registers of restaurant and residential licences
- registers of applications for separation and maintenance under the married women act
- registers of licences under the Sunday Entertainment Act 1932
- theatre licences issued including conditions, plans and playbills
- vaccination act 1898 papers
| PS 1 | Norwich (Courts held at
Norwich)
|
| PS 2 | South Erpingham
(Courts held at Aylsham)
|
| PS 3 | Eynsford
(Courts held at Reepham)
|
| PS 4 | King's Lynn
(Courts held at King's Lynn)
|
| PS 5 | Freebridge Lynn
(Courts held at Grimston)
|
| PS 6 | Freebridge
Marshland
(Courts held at Terrington St Clement)
|
| PS 7 | Clackclose
(Courts held at Downham Market)
|
| PS 8 | Blofield and
Walsham
(Courts held at Blofield)
|
| PS 9 | Taverham
(Courts held at Norwich)
|
| PS 10 | Swainsthorpe
(Courts held at Swainsthorpe)
|
| PS 11 | Tunstead and
Happing
(Courts held at North Walsham)
|
| PS 12 | Mitford and
Launditch
(Courts held at East Dereham)
|
| PS 13 | Smithdon and
Brothercross (Courts held at Docking and Hunstanton)
|
| PS 14 | Thetford and
Grimshoe
(Courts held at Thetford and Methwold. See also PS 29.)
|
| PS 15 | Wayland
(Courts held at Watton. See also PS 29.)
|
| PS 16 | Diss
(Courts held at Diss. See also PS 29.)
|
| PS 17 | East and West
Flegg
(Courts held at Ormesby St Margaret and Great Yarmouth)
|
| PS 18 | Great Yarmouth
(Courts held at Great Yarmouth)
|
| PS 19 | South Greenhoe
(Courts held at Swaffham. See also PS
29.)
|
| PS 20 | Guiltcross and
Shropham
(Courts held at East Harling and Attleborough. See also PS 29.)
|
| PS 21 | Earsham
(Courts held at Harleston)
|
| PS 22 | Lodden and
Clavering (Courts held at Loddon)
|
| PS 23 | Depwade
(Courts held at Long Stratton)
|
| PS 24 | North Erpingham
(Courts held at Cromer)
|
| PS 25 | Forehoe
(Courts held at Wymondham. See also PS
29.)
|
| PS 26 | Gallow
(Courts held at Fakenham)
|
| PS 27 | North Greenhoe
(Courts held at Walsingham)
|
| PS 28 | Holt
(Courts held at Holt)
|
| PS 29 | Thetford and
Grimshoe, Guiltcross and Shropham, Wayland, Diss and South
Greenhoe (Courts held at East Dereham, Diss, Swaffham, Thetford and
Wymondham.)
|
| PS 30 | Thetford Group of Petty
Sessional Divisions (later known as Central Norfolk and South
Norfolk Petty Sessional Divisions)
|
Updated: 27 July 2006.