Constitution
The court was a statutory court established under an act of the British Parliament. The court had virtually unlimited powers to deal with criminal offences. The court was constituted by a Deputy Judge Advocate, or as the office came to be more commonly called, “Judge-Advocate”. He sat with six military officers to constitute the tribunal. The first deputy judge advocate was David Collins.
In its early days, the court was convened when required. It was convened following a precept issued by the governor under his hand and seal. There were therefore no regular sittings during the early years of the settlement, and it met only whenever the governor summoned it.
Read more about this topic: Court Of Criminal Jurisdiction
Famous quotes containing the word constitution:
“Our new Constitution is now established, and has an appearance that promises permanency; but in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.”
—Benjamin Franklin (1706–1790)