Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1941 (SND Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

CHANCERY, n. Sc. law: “In Scot. this word has a much more limited significance than it has in England. Historically it is an office whence brieves are issued in name of the sovereign, directing trials by jury to take place to determine specified questions. Its former functions have largely disappeared through the formation of the Court of Session on the one hand and the simplification of conveyancing procedure on the other. The keeper of the records of Chancery proceedings is the Director of Chancery. The Sheriff of Chancery had a jurisdiction in the trial of brieves, which was transferred in 1938 to the Sheriff of Edinburgh” (Abd.¹⁶ 1939). See also Bell Dict. Law Scot. (1890) 163.