A petty sessional division was, in

England and Wales England and Wales () is one of the Law of the United Kingdom#Legal jurisdictions, three legal jurisdictions of the United Kingdom. It covers the constituent countries England and Wales and was formed by the Laws in Wales Acts 1535 and 1542. Th ...

, the area that a magistrates' court had

jurisdiction Jurisdiction (from Latin 'law' and 'speech' or 'declaration') is the legal term for the legal authority granted to a legal entity to enact justice. In federations like the United States, the concept of jurisdiction applies at multiple level ...

over (before the abolition of quarter sessions, specifically the petty sessions). Petty sessional divisions were gradually consolidated in the 20th century (being reorganised in 1953 under the Justices of the Peace Act 1949), and were replaced by local justice areas in 2005. Petty sessional divisions were formalised under the Division of Counties Act 1828, but they had existed informally for centuries as arrangements within the counties themselves. The areas were reinstated by the Local Government (Petty Sessional Divisions etc.) Order in 1973.Local Government (Petty Sessional Divisions etc.) Order 1973
( SI 1973/1593).

References

Former courts and tribunals in England and Wales Administrative divisions of England Administrative divisions of Wales 1828 establishments in England 1828 establishments in Wales 2005 disestablishments in England 2000s disestablishments in Wales {{Geo-term-stub

See also

References