Court of Sessions      1655 - 1691


Jurisdiction in non criminal capital cases between £5.00 and £20.00,
power to probate wills, grant administration in case of intestacy,
order final accounting of estates, remove an executor or administrator, appoint a guardian;

Ran twice/year outside New York City;

Created under Duke's Laws;

All wills registered in New York at the Office of the Secretary of the Province;

In New York City wills registered at Mayor's Court



Court of Sessions of the Peace     1691 - 1896

Jurisdiction over criminal matters;

Merged into county courts




Courts of Session (or General Session)      1777 - 1847

Jurisdiction over criminal matters;

Circuit division of the Supreme Court of the Judicature;

Appeals to Supreme Court of Judicature




Courts of Special Sessions      ? - 1896

Jurisdiction over criminal matters;

Appeals to Supreme Court General Term to 1824;

Appeals to Court of Common Pleas after 1824;

Abolished 1896 - merged to County Courts




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