Practicks: or, a system of the more ancient law of Scotland. Compiled by Sir James Balfour of Pettindreich, Lord President of the Court of Session. Carefully published from several manuscripts.

BALFOUR, (James, of Pettendreich).

Published by Edinburgh: Printed by Thomas and Walter Ruddimans., 1754., 1754

About this Item

FIRST EDITION. Folio, rebound quarter calf, marbled boards, red leather title label The first publication from the manuscript in the Advocates' Library of what DNB describes as "The earliest text-book of Scottish Law." Balfour took part in the commission for the consolidation of the laws, and although there is doubt as to how much of the work is his, the work became known as 'Balfour's Practicks.' "He was specially commended for his assistance in the publication of the 'Black Acts' of 1566, and was a diligent member of Regent Morton's Commission of 1574 appointed 'to visite the Bukis of the Law, Actis of Parliament, and Descisionis befoir the Sessioun; and draw the form of the body of our lawis, alsweill of that quhilk is alreddy statute, as thay thingis that were meit and convenient to be statute.' The end in view seems to have been the codification of the whole law, upon the continental model… Needless to say this was never accomplished, but the well-known Balfour's Practicks was probably the outcome. This was the first of the great digest Practicks, and is notour to most lawyers as it was published in 1754, and has been continually quoted in our law books both before and after." Stair Society: An introductory survey of the sources and literature of Scots Law, 1936, p. 33/34.

Seller Inventory # 25955

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Practicks: or, a system of the more ancient law of Scotland. Compiled by Sir James Balfour of Pettindreich, Lord President of the Court of Session. Carefully published from several manuscripts.
• Publisher: Edinburgh: Printed by Thomas and Walter Ruddimans., 1754.
• Publication Date: 1754
• Edition: 1st Edition
• Seller catalogs:
  • Law