Catalogue description Assizes: North and South Wales Circuit, Chester and North Wales Division: Criminal Depositions

The documents in this series relate mainly to murders and other serious crimes at the North and South Wales Circuit, Chester and North Wales Division Assizes. A high proportion of the murder cases arise from infanticide. The earlier depositions are sometimes annotated with details of verdict and sentence. The twentieth century depositions are accompanied by lists of witnesses and exhibits, and correspondence about the conduct of the trial and/or an appeal. Documentary exhibits also survive. These include photographs, medical reports, maps and plans, original statements to the police, as well as manuscript letters or printed material produced in evidence.

Notable trials on this circuit include that of Arthur Beard (1919) and of Ah Tam Lock (1926) for murder, and the Bersham Colliery riots (1935).

For information on the outcome of cases see: ASSI 64

No documents survive for the period 1892 to 1909.

Justices of Assize, North Wales Circuit, 1830-1945