Justices of the Peace

From the fourteenth century justices for each county in England were given power to bring cases before the court and hear them. This system was introduced to Powys with the setting up of Quarter Sessions for each of the three old counties of Montgomeryshire, Radnorshire and Brecknock in the sixteenth century. Over the years the legal and civil responsibilities of the justices grew and thus the number of justices needed in each county. Among their duties were -

• the enforcing of laws governing religious activities
  
• the overseeing of the licensing of those trades regulated by law
  
• the administration of the Poor Laws
  
• the appointment of High Constables for each Hundred (before the days of regular police forces)
  
• the enforcing of laws requiring the upkeep of the highway
  
• the overseeing of the licensing of friendly societies
  
• the overseeing of plans for public undertakings such as turnpikes, canals, tramways and gas mains

Like the jurors, justices had to meet a property qualification. They had to swear on oath that their estates were worth at least �100 a year and thus could only be appointed from the propertied classes only.

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Text and documentation supplied by Powys County Council Archive Department