Courts of the Vice-Warden of the Stannaries

The courts of the Vice-Warden of the Stannaries, commonly known as the stannary courts, were English courts in Cornwall and Devon that enforced the stannary law between the High Middle Ages and their abolition by the Stannaries Court (Abolition) Act 1896 (59 & 60 Vict. c. 45). From 1201, tin miners in Devon and Cornwall were exempt from the jurisdiction of all English courts other than that of the Vice-Warden of the Stannaries. The jurisdiction of the Cornwall stannary institutions covered the whole of the duchy, while the stannary courts of Devon had a reputation for harsh justice,^[1] and once jailed a Westminster MP (Richard Strode).^[2]

Stannaries Court Act 1640
Act of Parliament
Parliament of England
Long title	An Act against divers Incroachments and Oppressions in the Stannary Courts.
Citation	16 Cha. 1. c. 15
Dates
Royal assent	7 August 1641
Other legislation
Amended by	Statute Law Revision Act 1888
Repealed by	Stannaries Court (Abolition) Act 1896
Status: Repealed

Stannaries Act 1855
Act of Parliament
Parliament of the United Kingdom
Long title	An Act to amend and extend the Jurisdiction of the Stannary Court.
Citation	18 & 19 Vict. c. 32
Dates
Royal assent	15 June 1855
Other legislation
Amended by	Statute Law Revision Act 1875
Status: Amended
Text of statute as originally enacted
Text of the Stannaries Act 1855 as in force today (including any amendments) within the United Kingdom, from legislation.gov.uk.

Stannaries Court (Abolition) Act 1896
Act of Parliament
Parliament of the United Kingdom
Long title	An Act for abolishing the Court of the Vice-Warden of the Stannaries.
Citation	59 & 60 Vict. c. 45
Dates
Royal assent	14 August 1896
Other legislation
Repeals/revokes	Stannaries Court Act 1640

According to Thomas Pitt, judgements from the court could be appealed to the Vice-Warden of the Stanneries, then to the Warden, then finally to the Prince in Council.^[3]