| Description | Before 1836, the mayor, recorder and aldermen who had been mayor automatically served as justices of the peace without the need for new commissions to be issued. However after Chester's right to a court of quarter sessions was confirmed in 1836 (CH/43), commissions began to be issued by letters patent. From 1878, commissions of the peace were printed on parchment with the names left blank and the names of the justices were recorded in a schedule.
The records comprise letters patent, 1836-1878; and correspondence relating to the appointment of justices of the peace. |