Catalogue description Assizes: Wales and Chester Circuit: Indictments

These Wales and Chester Circuit indictments are typed or handwritten on standard (usually pre-printed) forms, using continuation sheets where necessary. They give the jurisdiction and venue of the trial, the name of the defendant, the plea, a summary statement of the charge of charges, particulars of the charge or charges, and, where applicable, details of the defendant's criminal record. Subsequent to the trial the remaining blanks were filled in to give the name of the presiding judge, the date and occasionally even the time of trial, verdict and sentence. Like earlier indictments they are endorsed with a list of witnesses.

They sometimes include additional annotations, such as names of counsel, jury lists (by number in jury panel, not by name) and breaches of the terms of bail or conditional discharge. Other papers, such as brief notes of names of counsel or probation reports, are occasionally attached.

Coroners' inquisitions in cases of unlawful killings are also included.

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

ASSI 84

Justices of Assize, Wales and Chester Circuit, 1945-1971