Catalogue description Assizes: Northern Circuit: Indictment Files

These are records of the Northern Circuit as re-constituted in 1876 covering the counties of Cumberland, Lancaster and Westmorland. The series also includes some Liverpool indictments for 1868.

Until 1916 indictments are on parchment; after that date as a result of the Indictments Act 1915 (5 & 6 Geo V c 90), they are typed or handwritten on standard (usually pre-printed) forms. They give the jurisdiction and venue of the trial, the name of the defendant, the plea, a summary statement of the charge or charges, and particulars of the charge or charges. The name of the presiding judge, the date of the trial, the verdict and the sentence are also recorded. Coroners' inquisitions are also included.

All the indictments, both before and after 1916, are endorsed with a list of witnesses. Earlier indictments are regularly accompanied by grand and petty jury panels. The petty jury panels give the jurors' occupations as well as their names.

For criminal depositions and case papers relating to these indictments see:

ASSI 52

Justices of Assize, Northern Circuit, 1876-1971