Heritable Jurisdictions (Scotland) Act 1746
The Heritable Jurisdictions (Scotland) Act 1746 (20 Geo. 2. c. 43) was an Act of Parliament passed in the aftermath of the Jacobite rising of 1745 abolishing judicial rights held by Scots heritors. These were a significant source of power, especially for clan chiefs since it gave them a large measure of control over their tenants.
| Act of Parliament | |
Parliament of Great Britain | |
| Long title | An Act for taking away and abolishing the Heretable Jurisdictions in Scotland; and for making Satisfaction to the Proprietors thereof; and for restoring such Jurisdictions to the Crown; and for making more effectual Provision for the Administration of Justice throughout that Part of the United Kingdom, by the King’s Courts and Judges there; ...and for rendering the Union of the Two Kingdoms more complete. |
|---|---|
| Citation | 20 Geo. 2. c. 43 |
| Territorial extent | Kingdom of Great Britain |
| Other legislation | |
| Relates to | Acts of Union 1707 |
Status: Current legislation | |
| Revised text of statute as amended | |
The position of sheriff-principal originated in the 13th century and still exists in modern Scotland. Originally appointed by the Crown, over the centuries the majority had become hereditary, the holders appointing legal professionals known as Sheriff-deputes to do the work. The Act returned control of these to the Crown.
Since Article XX of the 1707 Acts of Union recognised these rights as property, compensation was paid to the deprived heritors.