Northern District Court, Trinity

During the early migratory fishery Trinity was governed by Fishing Admirals, who were empowered to settle disputes among fishermen according to local customs and traditions. In 1729, by royal proclamation, the commander of the naval convoy in Newfoundland, became the governor of the colony. As the crown’s representative in Newfoundland, Governors appointed winter magistrates, Justices of the Peace, to maintain law and order outside the fishing season. The first magistrates at Trinity were Jacob Taverner and Francis Squibb, appointed in 1729. Initially the magistrates’ authority was challenged by the migratory fishermen, but as prominent merchants received appointments as Justices, the system gradually became respected, even though it had very little basis in law. By 1753 the magistrates presided over General Quarter Sessions to deal with civil disputes and from 1766 onwards, more serious complaints were heard annually in Surrogate Court, presided over by Naval Officers who were sent by the Naval Governors. By 1775 a local gaol was built at Trinity.

In 1791, a Court of Civil Jurisdiction was established in Newfoundland by an act of British Parliament, and John Clinch was appointed as a stipendiary magistrate at Trinity. By 1809 this Court had become permanent and was legally described as the Supreme Court of Newfoundland. The Court at Trinity was part of the Northern District Circuit. The stipendiary magistrates had both ministerial and judicial authority. They were able to receive information and complaints for indictable offences which could only be tried in Supreme Court; and as well they presided at the Court of Quarter Sessions, which tried offenders in summary criminal and civil cases. The Supreme Court held regular sessions to handle cases which came under its jurisdiction. There was a resident magistrate at Trinity until the late 1930s, after which time the magistrate at Bonavista held Court at Trinity as necessary. Nehemiah Short was the last magistrate with an office in Trinity.

In the 1970s, Provincial Court Judges replaced the former magistrates, and the Court for this area was centralized at Clarenville. Judge Coulton continued to preside over the Provincial Court at Trinity until the late 1980s. The last regular sitting of the Supreme Court at Trinity was held on September 5, 1947.

Created - May 8, 2013