[A1575/3/7]¹

Concerning the sighting, collection and reformation of the laws of this realm

[James Douglas, earl of Morton], my lord regent's grace, and estates presently convened, understanding the harm which this commonwealth sustains through want of a perfect written law, whereupon all judges may know how to proceed and determine, therefore it is thought convenient and concluded that these persons following: they are to say, John [Lyon], lord Glamis, chancellor, William [Ruthven], lord Ruthven, treasurer, Robert [Boyd], lord Boyd, John [Maxwell], lord Herries, James [Haliburton], commendator of Pittenweem, Master William Baillie, lord Provand, president of the college of justice, Master James Haliburton, provost of Dundee, Master Michael Chisholm, burgess of Edinburgh, and John Paterson, provost of Cupar, shall convene together in Edinburgh on 10 April 1575, and there, calling to them such others of the lords of the session or advocates as they shall think expedient, shall begin and review the books of the law, acts of parliament and decisions before the session and draw the form of the body of our laws, as well of that which is already statute as those things that were suitable and convenient to be statute, that the same, being reported again to the estates, it or so much thereof as shall be found good and allowable may be ratified and established in parliament, through which there may be a certain written law to all our sovereign lord's judges and ministers of law to judge and decide by.