Author Archives: dashea2014
Original copies 1826-1851
The first step towards an independent law-making governing body for Van Diemen’s Land was the separation of the Island dependency from the Colony of New South Wales. On 17 July 1825 King George IV had signed a warrant (issued under … Continue reading
Statutes for the years 1826-1831
From 1803 to 1825 Van Diemen’s Land was a dependency of the Colony of New South Wales. A succession of Lieutenant Governors and Commandants used General and Garrison Orders to maintain law and order at a local level. Local Justices … Continue reading
Imperial legislation relating to the Charters of Justice in 1823 and 1831
An Act for the Administration of Justice in New South Wales and Van Diemen’s Land, 1823 (4 Geo IV c 96) repealed An Act Constituting a Court of Criminal Judicature in New South Wales, 1787 (27 Geo III c 2). … Continue reading
Imperial legislation and the 1787 and 1814 Charters of Justice
An Act Constituting a Court of Criminal Judicature in New South Wales, 1787 begins by reciting the provisions of An Act for the effectual transportation of felons and other offenders; and to authorise the removal of prisoners in certain cases, … Continue reading
Posted in Charters of Justice, Imperial legislation
Tagged Ellis Bent, John Wylde, Thomas Bigge, Transportation
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French Maritime Explorers
Marion de Fresne With the Dutch losing interest in Van Diemen’s Land after Tasman’s departure in 1642, the natives were able resume their normal lives until 1772 when the first French explorer, Marion du Fresne, following the route taken by … Continue reading
Dutch Maritime Explorers
While it is probable that Portuguese sailors in the 16th century came in sight of the west coast of what was imagined to be the Great South Land, the usual route taken by the Dutch and Portuguese spice traders on … Continue reading
Magistrates – 1803-1824
The background to the operation of the justices of the peace in Van Diemen’s Land goes back to 1787 and the First Charter of Justice for the Colony of New South Wales. This document provided that Justices in New South … Continue reading
Vice Admiralty Court 1787-1812
In 1787 the First Charter of Justice provided for the establishment of courts of justice in the Colony of New South Wales to deal with criminal and civil matters. In addition to the Letters Patent issued to set up these … Continue reading
Posted in Courts, NSW
Tagged Andrew Miller, Arthur Phillip, Francis Grose, Henry Brewer, Henry Waterhouse, John Hunter, Richard Atkins, Robert Ross
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Governor’s Court 1814-1823
The Second Charter of Justice abolished the Civil Court of Judicature in the Colony of New South Wales and, by Letters Patent 4 February 1814, established three new civil courts, two in New South Wales and a third in Van … Continue reading
