The document discusses the evolution of judicial administration in Madras, India over three stages from 1639-1726. It began with elementary justice administered by the East India Company agent. A Governor's court was then established, followed by specialized courts like the Admiralty Court in 1686 and Mayor's Court in 1688 to handle maritime, civil, and criminal cases. The Mayor's Court formed part of Madras' municipal government and collected taxes to fund city services. Over time the courts became more structured and professionalized under the British Crown's charters granting powers to the East India Company.

1. Rayat Shikshan Sanstha’s,
Ismailsaheb Mulla Law
College,Satara.

2. Indian Legal History
2nd NLC- Asmita
- Saee
- Dipali
- Jyoti

5. INTRODUCTION:
After the settlement of East India Company
in Surat, the East India Company was also
willing to start their trade at various places in
India. For this purpose, they were allowed to
establish factories in India. And in the year of
1639, the company established their factory at
Madras.

6. JUDICIAL ADMINITRATION AT
MADRAS:
 In Madras, the judicial administration grew in 3
stages-
 1st stage : Administration of justice was at
elementary stage.
 2nd stage: Establishment of court of Governor
in council.
 3rd stage : Significant event of creation of two
courts-
-Admiralty Court
-Mayor’s Court.

9. 1) FORT St. GEORGE :-
In 1639, an Englishman FRANCIS DAY acquired
very big strip of about 240 Miles from Hindu raja
CHANDRAGIRI. He built fortified factory and named it as
FORT St. GEORGE.
2) WHITE TOWN AND BLACK TOWN :-
In side the factory, there was Englishman
& European & other hand, the village out side the
factory where inhabited by native black person.
And hence, the people inside the factory
were known as WHITE TOWN and Persons outside
the factory known as BLACK TOWN. And both
constituted town of MADRASPATTANAM.

10. 3) POWERS OF COMPANY :-
The Raja had granted to the company
full power and authority to govern and dispose
the Government of MADRASPATTANAM. The
company was also empowered TO MINT ITS
OWN MONEY.
4) AGENT IN COUNCIL :-
As Madras was given the status of
the agency so there was administrative head
Called the ‘AGENT’. He administered the
settlement with the help of council.

11. 5) CHOULTRY COURT :
• Justice was dispensed to the inhabitants of the white town by
agent.
Although the Raja had left the responsibility to administer the
black town. And Englishmen did not show much interest to this
respect.
• Thus old system of CHOULTRY COURT with Adigar as the
Judge decided small Civil and Criminal cases.
• But in the year of 1644, KANAPPA was the Adigar of Choultry
Court was charged for some offences of taking bribe, the charge
was also proved against him And he was dishonorable removed
from his post.
• From 1648, onwards company began to appoint Englishmen to
preside upon the Choultry Court.

12. 6) CHARTER OF 1661:-
•In 1661, the British Crown granted a Charter viz.
CHARTER OF 1661.
•It conferred broad powers on the East India Company.
•It authorized Governor and council of each factory to hear
all the cases of all persons whether Indians, Englishmen or
Europeans inhabiting in the settlement of company.
•All cases were heard by Governor and council.
•Even the cases of Indians inhabiting in the settlement of
company were to be decided by English law.

13. 2nd stage
(1665-1686)

14. Presidency Of
Madras
Though the Charter granted powers to EIC. It
was not operative in Madras.
There was no change in judicial set up.
A criminal case of 1665 however proved to be
turning point .

15. Mrs. Ascentia Dawes was brought to trial before the agent
in council on a charge of murdering a slave girl.
As the agent in council was uncertain about their power in
such matters they referred the case for advice to company's
authority to England.
The company decided to make Charter more effective…and
to this end it raised the agent on the status of Governor.
The Charter vested all powers to governor and council.
Thus, Madras became the first Presidency Town in 1665.

16. PLAN OF 1678
HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE
Streynsham Master was the Governor of Madras.
In March 1678, the Governor and council resolved that they could sit
as court on 2 days of week to administer justice in all civil and
criminal cases.
All cases were to be heard according to the laws of England with the
help of 12 jury men.
The court was designed as HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE and was
formally inaugurated on March 27, 1678.

17. CHOULTRY COURT
Choultry court was also reorganized .
It was to consist of servants.
Choultry court was to sit twice a week to try small matters
of peace and civil upto 50 Pagodas and cases of higher value
with the consent of parties.
All other cases & appeals from the choultry court were
to be heard by the Governor & Council with the help of jury.

18. 3rd stage
(1685-1726)

19. Admiralty Court
The admiralty court was established under the British
Crowns CHARTER OF 1683.
Under the Charter of 1600 the East India Company was
conferred on exclusive the right to trade with East
Indies but no British subject was permitted to carry on
trade without the license; so the need of admiralty
court was occurred .
Second reason.. The crime of piracy on high seas was
increased. To deal with it need of admiralty court was
felt.
Third was..to hear and decide the cases concerning –
MARATIME
MERCHANTILE

20. Admiralty court was started in Madras on July 10,
1686.
 3 seniors of company were appointed- One of them
was act as Judge and two were his assistants.
In 1687, company sent SIR JOHN BIGGS, a professional
lawyer learned in civil law to act as Advocate Judge.
The year 1687, became important for two reasons
- a professional lawyer came on scene to administer
justice
- the executive gave up judicial function in favor of
admiralty court.

21. Mayor’s court
 The year 1688, saw the setting up of another court at
Madras known as Mayor’s Court.
This was a part of Madras Corporation and it was
established under the Charter, dated Dec. 30, 1687
issued by company itself..
NEED OF MAYOR’S COURT-
Madras had become popular town and so company
thought of applying system of MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT
in Madras.
For welfare activities..Madras Govt. levied house tax .

23. EXECUTIVE CAPACITY
 Existence on –
Sept. 29, 1688
Consisted a mayor
12 aldermen & 60-
120 burgesses.
Charter
appointed 1st
Mayor.
•Tenure- 1 year.
JUDICIAL CAPACITY
A Mayor and 3
aldermen called
Court of peace.
 Mayor & aldermen
formed Court of
record.
They use to hear
civil & criminal cases
Civil cases upto 3
Pagodas.

24. Teamwork is the Secret that
make common people achieve
uncommon Result.