Innovation in the courts: Ellis and Jeffery Hart Bent in New South Wales an analysis of minute books

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Close reading of documents produced by the early courts in New South Wales show two young men, formerly barristers at the Northern Assizes, innovating in their court rooms. Such innovation derived from their merchant background rather than the traditions of mercy or paternalism of the Assizes. In such innovations colonial agents were empowered and could shape the workings of the courts themselves. Minutes of the court show the impact of new kinds of elites generated by wealth built on slavery on the courts in the colonies and the subsequent flowering of subcultures.
Original languageEnglish
Article number4
Pages (from-to)757 -783
Number of pages27
JournalLaw and History Review
Volume42
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Nov 2024
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© The Author(s), 2025. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of American Society for Legal History.

Keywords

  • Slavery; Law; Courts; Records

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