Procedure: nomination and election of ordinary and extraordinary lords of session
Act regarding the nomination and election of the lords of session, ordinary and extraordinary

The which day the king's majesty, with advice and approbation of the estates of parliament convened in plain parliament, nominated and elected Sir George Erskine of Innerteil, Sir Alexander Gibson of Durie, Sir Andrew Fletcher of Innerpeffer, Sir John Hamilton of Orbiston, justice clerk, Sir James Carmichael, treasurer depute, Sir James Learmonth of Balcomie, Sir James MacGill of Cranstoun-Riddel, Sir George Haliburton of Fodderance, Sir John Hope of Craighall, Sir John Scott of Scotstarvit, Sir Alexander Falconer, younger, of Halkerton, Sir John Leslie of Newton and Sir Thomas Hope of Kerse, knights, Master Archibald Johnston of Wariston and Master Adam Hepburn of Humbie to be the 15 ordinary lords of session and senators of the college of justice, and that for life without offence, and judges for administration of justice to the lieges, according to the first foundation and erection of that sovereign judicatory of the college of justice. Likewise his majesty, with advice and approbation of the said estates of parliament, gave and conveyed and hereby gives and conveys to the fifteen ordinary lords of session above-named, and to each one of them for life without offence as said is, the fifteen ordinary places of the said ordinary lords and senators of the college of justice, with all fees, honours and dignities, profits, casualties, immunities, liberties and privileges whatsoever pertaining and belonging to the ordinary lords and senators of the college of justice, and their places thereof to be held and possessed by the persons above-named now nominated and elected thereto as said is, and each one of them likewise and with all respects and privileges, fees, casualties, immunities, liberties and privileges whatsoever as the same have been possessed and held by any preceding lords and senators of the said college of justice, and which the said lords and senators foresaid may now possess and enjoy by the laws of the kingdom, and that for life without offence, according to the act of this present parliament made concerning this upon 16 September last. Likewise his majesty, with advice and approbation foresaid, likewise nominated and elected Archibald [Campbell], earl of Argyll, Archibald [Douglas], lord Angus, John [Lindsay], lord Lindsay2 and John [Elphinstone], lord Balmerino, to be the four extraordinary lords of session and senators of the said college of justice, according to the act foresaid made regarding the nomination and election of the officers of state, councillors and sessioners of the date 16 September last. And his majesty, with advice and approbation of the said estates, gave and conveyed, and hereby gives and conveys, to the said four extraordinary lords of session above-named, and to each one of them, the four ordinary places of the said extraordinary lords and senators of the college of justice, with all honours, dignities, immunities, liberties and privileges whatsoever belonging to the extraordinary lords of session and their places thereof, to be held and possessed by the foresaid four lords above-named now nominated and elected thereto likewise and with all respects the same has been possessed and held by any preceding extraordinary lords of the session, and which may be now possessed and enjoyed by them by the laws of this kingdom.

  1. NAS, PA2/22, f.159v-160r.
  2. John Lindsay had actually been created Earl of Lindsay in May 1633.