COURT OF COMMON COUNCIL: COURT OF REQUESTS COMMITTEE

Identity Statement

Reference code(s)	: COL/CC/CRC
Held at	: London Metropolitan Archives   Click here to find out how to view this collection at https://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/lma ›
Full title	: COURT OF COMMON COUNCIL: COURT OF REQUESTS COMMITTEE
Date(s)	: 1756-1836
Level of description	: subfonds View parent record
Extent	: 0.1 linear metres
Name of creator(s)	: Corporation of London

Context

Administrative/Biographical history:

The concept of the Court of Common Council grew from the ancient custom of the Folkmoot, when the assent of the citizens to important acts was obtained. This custom was continued by the Mayor who consulted the Commons several times during the 13th century. From 1376 the assembly began to meet regularly and was referred to as the Common Council. It was decided that the Council should be made up of persons elected from each Ward. By 1384 a permanent Common Council chosen by the citizens was established for all time. The Council assumed legislative functions and adopted financial powers, confirmed by Charters of 1377 and 1383. The Council has often used these powers to amend the civic constitution, regulate the election of Lord Mayor and other officials, and amend the functions of the City courts. The Council was judged so successful in the conduct of its duties that it was the only Corporation unreformed by Parliament following the Municipal Corporations Commission report of 1837, while the Corporation Inquiry Commission of 1854 suggested only minor reforms. The work of the Council is conducted by a number of committees, while the whole Council has the right to approve policy, confirm major decisions and sanction expenditure. The committees handle many aspects of the running of the City including land and estates, finance and valuation, open spaces, street improvement and town planning, public health, police, Port of London, civil defence, airports, libraries, markets, education, and law. The Town Clerk has held responsibility for recording the minutes of the Council and its committees since 1274.

The Court of Requests was constituted by an Act of Common Council in 1518 under which Commissioners were appointed to hear cases for the recovery of small debts. Its jurisdiction was confirmed by Act of Parliament (Small Debts London City Act) of 1605 and was further regulated by subsequent Acts. The sum to be claimed was limited to £10. The jurisdiction was transferred to the Sheriff's Court in 1847 by the London (City) Small Debts Act. The Court of Requests Committee was founded to regulate the work and powers of the Court of Requests.

Content

Scope and content/abstract:

Records of the Court of Requests Committee, Court of Common Council, comprising rough minutes and papers of a Committee appointed to examine the practice and fees of the Court of Requests, 1756-61; printed Report to Common Council, 1759; rough minutes and papers of a Committee to consider a Memorial from the Commissioners of Requests, 1768; minutes of a Committee to enquire into the practice and fees of the Court of Requests and the abuses of its officers, 1774-1788; minutes of the committee appointed to consider the propriety of an application to Parliament for an enlargement of the powers of the Court of Requests, 1830-1836 and committee papers, 1773-1788.

Access & Use

Language/scripts of material:
English

System of arrangement:

In sections according to catalogue.

Conditions governing access:

Available for general access.

Conditions governing reproduction:

Copyright City of London

Finding aids:

Please see online catalogues at: http://search.lma.gov.uk/opac_lma/index.htm

Archival Information

Archival history:

Immediate source of acquisition:

Corporation of London Records Office.

Allied Materials

Related material:

For Corporation of London records relating to courts see: CLA/004: Mansion House Justice Room, CLA/005: Guildhall Justice Room, CLA/023 Court of Husting, City of London, CLA/024: Mayor's Court, City of London, CLA/025: Sheriff's Court, City of London, CLA/026: City of London Court, CLA/027: Mayor's and City of London Court, CLA/038: Court of Requests, City of London, CLA/039: Courts of Judicature, City of London, CLA/040: Courts of Law, CLA/041: City of London Coroners Court, CLA/042: Southwark Crown Court, CLA/047: City of London Sessions, COL/CA/MGA: Court of Aldermen Magistracy Committee, COL/CC/AJC: Court of Common Council Administration of Justice Committee, COL/CC/CRC: Court of Common Council Court of Requests Committee, COL/CC/CRE: Court of Common Council Central Criminal Court (Extension) Committee, COL/CC/CRN: Court of Common Council Central Criminal Court Newson Smith Committee, COL/CC/LPC: Court of Common Council Law, [Parliamentary] and City Courts Committee, COL/CC/SDC: Court of Common Council Secondaries and Sheriffs' Courts Committee, COL/CHD/IC: Chamberlain's Department: Institutions and Courts and COL/PL for plans of courts.

Publication note:

Description Notes

Archivist's note:

Rules or conventions:
Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997.

Date(s) of descriptions:
February 2009