Petty Sessions began at the beginning of the 18th century as extra meetings to lessen the burden on Justices of the Peace in Quarter Sessions. The normal practice was to subdivide a shire into geographical divisions with each magistrate being assigned to a particular division. The Sessions were held twice monthly in each division as opposed to the Quarter Sessions, which were held every three months.
The Petty Sessions dealt mainly with minor cases such as drunkenness, assaults, larceny, trespassing, fraud and juvenile cases, as well as ale licensing and adoption. They required the presence of two Justices of the Peace but no jury.
Ruthin Petty Sessional Division covered the areas of Ruthin Municipal Borough; Llangynhafal; Llanynys Rural; Llanferres; Llanarmon yn Iâl; Llandegla; Llanelidan; Llanfair Dyffryn Clwyd; Derwen; Clocaenog; Llanfwrog Rural; Efenechtyd; Gyffylliog.
This collection includes: minute books, court registers, juvenile court registers, financial records and registers of licences.
Related material-
PSD/D/9/1- Register of Music and Dancing Licenses, Ruthin, 1957-1975
PSD/D/8/2- Register of Clubs, 1956-1962