The courts of Wales consisted of Petty, Quarter and Great Sessions.  The Court of Assizes replaced the court of the Great Sessions in 1830.

The local Petty Sessions generally met monthly.  It dealt with minor offences such as larceny, vagrancy, assault, trespass and other property related offences.  The records reveal numerous cases of larceny, which took up much of the court’s time. The court did not have a jury, but magistrates were able to pass judgements on those who pleaded guilty for minor crimes.

The Quarter Sessions were presided over by Justices of the Peace, and held quarterly in each county.  The court could refer cases to the Assizes if necessary. As well as crime, it dealt with the operation of the Poor Law, which included affiliation orders for illegitimate children and parish settlements. The purpose of the court was varied as it also maintained control over craftsmen and apprentices, issued licences to alehouses, maintenance of roads, distribution of taxes and other civil matters.

The Court of Great Sessions presided over both criminal and civil cases, but was replaced by the Court of Assizes in 1830. Assize judges travelled on a circuit around Wales and held court in various counties.