xx?i i ' n T R D U £ Ti N.
model of the French parliament, to ftvpply an ambulatory committee of par-
liament, who took on themfelves the name of the Lords of Council and Seffion,
which the prefent members or fenators of the College of Juftice ftill retain.
It is the higheft court of Scotland, and eoniifts of a prefident, and fourteen
ordinary lord?, befides extraordinary ones named by his Majefty, who mar
fit and vote, but are not bound to attendance. This court may be termed a
landing jury, who determine all civil caufes, according to the ftatutes, the
cu'ftom of the nation, and the civil law. No appeal lies from this court, ex-
cept to the EritHh Houfe of Lords ; and the prefence of nine judges is necef-
fary to make their decifions valid. The College of Juftice confifts not only
of the judges, but alfo of the advocates, writers to the fignet, clerks to the
feffion, and feme others. The Faculty of Advocates, fomewhat fimilar to the
Englifh inns of court-, is the orderly court under a dean of faculty ; and their
forms require great precifion and examination of candidates for admiffion.
The writers to the fignet, fo named beeaufe they alone are empowered to
fubferibe the writs that pafs his Majefty's fignet, are alfo a regular body, and
have a government a"nd by-laws for their regulation. The members of the
College of Juftice are endowed with many valuable privileges ; they are not
fubject to the jurifdiction of any inferior court ; they are exempted from paying
the taxes impofed upon the inhabitants of the city of Edinburgh, for minifters
itipends, fupport of the poor, from paying impoft on liquors, and from per-
forming any fervices within the city ; nay, by feveral ftatutes, they are ex-
empted from paying land-tax, and from all public taxes and contributions
whatever ; a privilege which, indeed, they have not exercifed fince the Revo-
lution.
II. The Court of Justiciary is the higheft criminal court of Scotland. It
confifts of a lord juftice general, a lucrative office, but removable at his
Majefty's pleafure ; a lord juftiee clerk, who prefides in the abfence of the
former; and five other judges, nominated from the fenators of the College of
Juftice. All crimes are tried before this court, when the verdict of a jury
condemns or acquits ; but there is no necefiity for unanimity. The lords
commiffioners of Jufticiary make a circuit twice a year to the different di-
ftricts of Scotland. One lord can hold a Circuit Court ; and it has been
found, by a decifion in 1763, that the judgments of Circuit Courts are not
liable to be reviewed by the High Court of Jufticiary.
III. The Court of Exchequer has the fame powers, privileges, jurifdic-
tion and authority, over the revenue of Scotland as that of England over the
revenue of England. This court confifts of a lord chief baron, and four
•ther barons, two remembrancers, a clerk of the pipe, Ice.