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Catalogue

Consett County Court

Reference: CCo/Con Catalogue Title: Consett County Court Area: Catalogue Category: Public Records Description: 

Covering Dates: 1868-1985, 2000

Access: Access to most records is restricted for 100 years under Data Protection legislation. Please apply to County Archivist for access.

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Catalogue Description

For a general description of county courts see the Collection Level Description.

Consett County Court opened on 31 December 1881, replacing Shotley Bridge County Court. Before it moved in 1968 to its new premises at Victoria Street, the court was located at Spencer Street. The proceedings were held once a month on Wednesdays.

Apart from the most common civil law cases that county courts deal with, like small financial claims, personal injuries, divorce, charities etc., Consett Court also dealt with cases under the Workmen's Compensation Acts. These particular cases in general in the late 1940s were heard by special national insurance tribunals, but many of them were still dealt with by this court until the late 1970s.

Below is a list of the Court employees as found in Kelly's directories of County Durham:

1890: Edgar J. Meynell, judge; J. Booth, registrar; Pattison Osborn and Joseph W. Osborn, bailiffs; Thomas Whinney, clerk

1894: Edgar J. Meynell, judge; J. Booth, registrar

1902: Arthur O'Connor, judge; John Booth Lazenby, registrar; Joseph W. Osborn, bailiff; Joseph Hamilton and Thomas Hamilton, clerks

1910: Arthur O'Connor, judge; John Booth Lazenby, registrar; J. Siddell and A.R. Robinson, bailiffs; Joseph Hamilton and Fred McDonald, clerks

1921 and 1925: R.E. Moore, judge; John McCarton, registrar; J. Siddell, bailiff; A.R. Robinson, clerk

1929: Thomas Richardson, judge; John Booth Lazenby, registrar

1934 and 1938: Arthur L.B. Thesiger, judge

Consett County Court ceased on 18 July 2011 and its duties were taken over by Durham County Court and Gateshead County Court.

Catalogue Contents

Consett County Court (Ref: CCo/Con)Summons minute books (Ref: CCo/Con 1-8)

Ordinary summons minute book B (no. 14), November 1929 - November 1932
(1 Volume, leather half-bound)


Ordinary summons minute book B (no. 18), February 1940 - August 1944
(1 Volume, leather half-bound)


Ordinary summons minute book B (no. 19), August 1944 - April 1952
(1 Volume, leather half-bound)


Ordinary summons minute book B (no. 22), September 1958 - January 1961
(1 Volume, leather half-bound)


Default summons minute book C, July 1928 - June 1955
(1 Volume, leather half-bound)


Default summons minute book C, October 1957 - April 1959
(1 Volume, cloth bound)


Default summons minute book C, June 1966 - February 1968
(1 Volume, cloth bound)


Default summons minute book C, February 1968 - December 1969
(1 Volume, cloth bound)

Workmen's Compensation Act Records (Ref: CCo/Con 9-11, 39-41)

Please note these records are closed for 100 years under Data Protection legislation. Apply to County Archivist for access.

Registers (Ref: CCo/Con 9, 39/1-7)

W.C.A. register, December 1948 - November 1970
(1 Volume, cloth quarter-bound)


Register of cases under Workmen's Compensation Act, 19 March 1938-1 September 1939
(1 volume)


Register of cases under Workmen's Compensation Act, 28 August 1939-24 April 1941
(1 volume)


Register of cases under Workmen's Compensation Act, 16 January 1943-15 July 1944
(1 volume)


Register of cases under Workmen's Compensation Act, 19 July 1944- 25 June 1945
(1 volume)


Register of cases under Workmen's Compensation Act, 26 June 1945-11 May 1946
(1 volume)


Register of cases under Workmen's Compensation Act, 11 May 1946-2 September 1947
(1 volume)


Register of cases under Workmen's Compensation Act, 6 September 1947- 8 November 1949
(1 volume)

Files (Ref: CCo/Con 10-11, 40-41)

W.C.A. files identified for preservation by the Chief Clerk as a sample of the documentation in use, 1950 - 1955: Parties (No. of matter) Date Thomas Richardson Holmes and John Harry Wood - agreement (1901), 1950 Craven Brothers and Jane Richards - agreement (1902), 1950 John George Thompson and N.W. Durham Cooperative Dairies Ltd., - agreement (1903), 1950 James Kelly v Consett Iron Co. Ltd., - reference to medical referee (1906), 1950 Alva Llewelyn Leonard and Consett Iron Co. Ltd., - agreement (1907), 1950 Ada Nelson Nicholson (widow) and Holmside and South Moor Collieries Ltd. - payment into court (1909), 1950 R. Scott (Derwent Quarries) Ltd. and Christopher Bell - agreement (1910), 1950 Robert William Kay v NCB, Holmside Unit - reference to medical referee (1911), 1950 John Watson and Consett Iron Co. Ltd. - agreement (1912), 1950 Robert Robinson v Stanley U.D.C. - agreement (1913), 1950 Norman Richardson and Consett Iron Co. Ltd. - agreement (1914), 1950 George Edward Halliday and Cooperative Wholesale Society Ltd. - agreement (1915), 1950 James Haley and Consett Iron Co. Ltd. - agreement (1916), 1950 George Wardman and Dainty Bakeries Ltd. - agreement (1917), 1950 Cuthbert Jackson Heard v Consett Iron Co. Ltd. - arbitration (review) (1918), 1951 James Ernest Dodds v Lambton Hetton and Joicey Collieries Ltd. - reference to medical referee (1919) 1951 James William Burdon v Lambton Hetton and Joicey Collieries Ltd. - reference to medical referee (1920) 1951 Alice Humble (widow) v Consett Iron Co. Ltd. (1921) 1951 John McNally and The Railway Executive - agreement (1927) 1951 Joseph Freek and Consett Iron Co. Ltd. - agreement (1928) 1951 Dorothy Nicholson (widow) v John Bowes and Partners Ltd. - payment into court (1929) 1951 Patrick Casey and N.W. Durham Cooperative Dairies Ltd. - agreement (1933) 1951 David Stafford and Westwood and District Ex-Servicemen's Clubs Ltd. - agreement (1934) 1951 Edward Malpass and Consett Iron Co. Ltd. - reference to medical referee (1936) 1951 Reginald Francis Crane (infant) and Daniel Lappin and James Gibson (1937) 1951 John Davison and NCB, S.E. Division - agreement (1939) 1951 R. Dryden v Consett Iron Co. Ltd. - reference to medical referee (1940) 1951 Dennis Gribbin and The Coppee Co. (Gt. Britain) Ltd. - agreement (1941) 1951 Mary Emmaline Tucker (widow) and Consett Iron Co. Ltd. (1942) 1951 John Weetman and Consett Iron Co. Ltd. - agreement (1943) 1951 Maureen Johnson v Kellys (Annfield Plain) Ltd. (1945) 1952 Richard Robert Tinn Eddy nd Consett Iron Co. Ltd.(1946) 1952 John Atherton and Consett Iron Co. Ltd. - agreement (1948) 1952 Thomas A. Peel and George E. Thew - agreement (1950) 1952 James Page and Mrs. L.M.L. Martell - agreement (1951) 1952 John William Hopper dec'd and NCB - payment into court (1955) 1953 Henry Bell and Consett Iron Co. Ltd. - agreement (1956) 1953 Robert W. Tempest v NCB - agreement (1957) 1953 Susannah Mansell and Robert Dixon - agreement (1959) 1953 Edward Harris v NCB - reference to medical referee (1960) 1954 Thomas Thew v NCB reference to medical referee (1961) 1954 Anthony Westgarth v NCB - reference to medical referee (1962) 1954 James W. Burdon v NCB - reference to medical referee (1963) 1954 Anthony Webster v NCB - reference to medical referee (1964) 1954 Owen Bartley v NCB - reference to medical referee (1965) 1954 John Stagg and NCB - agreement (1966) 1954 Ernest Musgrove and NCB - reference to medical referee (1967) 1954 Walter Leonard Stanley and Consett Iron Co. Ltd. - arbitration (1968) 1954 Susannah Hodgson (widow) v NCB - payment into court (1969) 1954 Arthur Wilkinson v NCB - reference to medical referee (1970) 1954 Jane Moody (widow) v NCB - payment into court (1971) 1954 Hilda Willis (widow) v Ronald Neil Cross (1972) 1954 William Brown v NCB - reference to medical referee (1974) 1954 Robert Miller Milburn v NCB - agreement (1977) 1954 Grace May Ludkin (widow) v NCB (1978) 1955 Leslie Palmer v NCB - agreement (1980) 1955 Michael Scott v Consett Iron Co. Ltd. - agreement (1982) 1955 Joseph Waters v NCB - reference to medical referee (1983) 1955 George Eglon v Consett Iron Co. Ltd. - arbitration (1986) 1955 James William Burdon v NCB - reference to medical referee (1987) 1955 Edward Harris v NCB - reference to medical referee (1988) 1955
(61 files)


W.C.A. files retained by Chief Clerk as matters of particular interest: Parties (No. of matter) Date John Finnigan v Consett Iron Co. Ltd. - arbitration re-request for increased compensation (2068) previous matters (1555) & (1464) 1944 - 1962 William Wigham v Consett Iron Co. Ltd. - claim for damages limited to £400. (Includes copy plan of Hownsgill Plate Mill, 1964, and 4 photographs of interior 1965) (u.714) 1965 John Henry Brown v NCB - commutation of compensation from Lambeth County Court to Consett County Court (2094) 1965
(3 files)


Lambton Hetton and Joicey Collieries Limited v Albert Edward Leech, case file, 29 June 1926- 2 September 1926
(1 file)


Lists of cases under Workmen's Compensation Act held at Durham County Court, 30 June 1944- 31 December 1945
(7 files)

Letters concerning individual cases (Ref: CCo/Con 42/1-8)

Letter from Harold Boag, secretary, Coal Trade Offices, Neville Hall, Newcastle upon Tyne to Durham County Court, regarding medical examination of R. Fletcher for the court case Dorman Long and Company Limited v R. Fletcher, 15 January 1943
(1 paper, printed)


Letter from R.H. Blakey, Local Manager, Midland Employers Mutual Assurance Limited Bradburn House, Northumberland Street, Newcastle upon Tyne to Durham County Court regarding medical examination of Jeanie C. Powney for the court case Jeanie C. Powney v Washington Chemical Company Limited. Medical certificate is enclosed, 12 March 1943
(2 papers, printed)


Letter from A.R. Law, National Employers Mutual General Insurance Association Limited, Collingwood Buildings, Collingwood Street, Newcastle on Tyne to Durham County Court regarding medical examination of Eleanor Patterson for the court case Eleanor Patterson, 81 Broomside Lane, Belmont v Wood and Watson. Certificate is enclosed, 19 March 1943
(2 papers, printed)


Letter from R.H. Blakey, Local Manager, Midland Employers Mutual Assurance Limited Bradburn House, Northumberland Street, Newcastle upon Tyne to Durham County Court regarding medical examination of Arthur McGovern for the court case Arthur McGovern v Brancepeth Coal Company Limited. Medical certificate is enclosed, 22 March 1943
(2 papers, printed)


Letter from J.N. Morgan, General Manager of the Prudential Assurance Company Limited, Holborn Bars., London to Durham County Court regarding the court case A.S. Graver, 15 Lumley Terrace, Fencehouses v Finchale Coal Company Limited, Stanley House, Red Rose Terrace, Chester le Street, 5 April 1943
(1 paper, printed)


Letter from Harold Boag, secretary, Coal Trade Offices, Neville Hall, Newcastle upon Tyne to Durham County Court, regarding court case A. Bourne v the Charlaw and Sacriston Collieries Company Limited, 16 April 1943
(1 paper, printed)


Letter from Harold Boag, secretary, Coal Trade Offices, Neville Hall, Newcastle upon Tyne to Durham County Court, regarding court case F.W. Parrott v Dorman Long and Company Limited, 22 April 1943
(1 paper, printed)


Letters from Harold Boag, secretary, Coal Trade Offices, Neville Hall, Newcastle upon Tyne to Durham County Court, regarding court case Strakers and Love Limited v J.W. Clough, 23-30 June 1943
(2 papers, printed)

Judges' and Registrars' Notebooks (Ref: CCo/Con 12-23)

Judge's notebook: ? and J.R., April 1935 - February 1942
(1 Volume, cloth bound)


Judge's notebook: J.R., October 1942 - August 1951
(1 Volume, cloth bound)


Judge's notebook: J.R., November 1951 - December 1957
(1 Volume, cloth bound)


Judge's notebook, October 1960 - February 1963
(1 Volume, cloth bound)


Judge's notebook, October 1960 - February 1963
(1 Volume, cloth bound)


Judge's notebook: Judge A. Sharp, March 1964 - June 1965
(1 Volume, cloth bound)


Judge's notebook: Judge Forrester-Paton October 1970 - December 1971
(1 Volume, cloth bound)


Judge's notebook: Relief Judge, November 1972 - September 1984
(1 Volume, cloth bound)


Registrar's notebook, March 1925 - November 1967
(1 Volume, leather bound)


Registrar's notebook: Registrar J.H.V. Spicer, February 1968 - December 1973
(1 Volume, cloth bound)


Registrar's notebook: Registrar D. Swangren, June 1975 - August 1980
(1 Volume, cloth bound)


Recorders' and Assistant Recorders' notebook, June 1980 - December 1985
(1 Volume, cloth bound)

Equity Proceedings (Ref: CCo/Con 24-25)

Suits and proceedings in equity book, February 1866 - November 1951
(1 volume)


Equity file: Aubrey and Aubrey v Batson (plaint nos. Z585 & 69/00204) 1968 - 1970
(1 File)

Financial records (Ref: CCo/Con 26-37)

Index to bills of sale, n.d. [1920s]
(1 volume)


Cash ledger (indexed), 23 October 1936- 25 November 1938
(1 volume)


Cash ledger (indexed), 25 July 1941- 6 December 1946
(1 volume)


Funds deposit ledger (indexed), 24 June 1927- 21 July 1942 Contains lists of maintenance deposits for dependants
(1 volume)


Funds investment ledger, 24 December 1937-24 October 1941 Contains lists of maintenance deposits for dependants
(1 volume)


Funds ledger, 4 September 1939- 31 December 1953 Contains lists of maintenance deposits for dependants
(1 volume)


Funds ledger (indexed), 1 July 1947- 31 December 1952 Contains lists of maintenance deposits for dependants
(1 volume)


Funds ledger (indexed), 25 November 1953- 3 September 1965 Contains lists of maintenance deposits for dependants
(1 volume)


Funds ledger (indexed), 3 January 1962- 28 February 1966 Contains lists of maintenance deposits for dependants
(1 volume)


Ordinary actions book B, 9 July 1956-24 October 1958
(1 volume)


Court cases ledger (indexed), 25 November 1938-25 April 1941
(1 volume)


Combined single plaintiff or solicitor cash book, 16 August 1973-6 February 1975
(1 volume)

Register of deeds (Ref: CCo/Con 38)

Register of deeds (wills, indentures, agreements, etc), 10 August 1868-7 August 1886
(1 volume)

Miscellaneous (Ref: CCo/Con 43)

A little history of Consett County Court by Janice McKean, n.d., [c. 2000]
(2 papers, printed)

Photographs (Ref: CCo/Con 44/1-14)

View from Victoria Road, Consett with St Patrick's RC church on the left, n.d. [1950s]
(1 photograph, 18 cm x 13 cm, black and white)


View from Victoria Road, Consett with St Patrick's RC church on the right, n.d. [1950s]
(1 photograph, 18 cm x 13 cm, black and white)


View of Raglan Street, Consett. The building across the street on the corner was a Post Office. All the buildings have been demolished, n.d. [1950s-60s]
(1 photograph, 18 cm x 13 cm, black and white)


Medomsley Road, Consett with old Rex cinema on the left not long after it was burned. Next to it is local workmen's club, n.d. [1950s-60s]
(1 photograph, 18 cm x 13 cm, black and white)


Consett bus station with Northern buses going to Sunderland and Chopwell, n.d. [1950s-60s]
(1 photograph, 18 cm x 13 cm, black and white)


Consett bus station looking down from Medomsley Road, n.d. [1950s-60s]
(1 photograph, 18 cm x 13 cm, black and white)


Northern bus parked on Trafalgar Street, Consett. Chinese restaurant, Golden Ring, on the left, n.d. [1960s]
(1 photograph, 18 cm x 13 cm, black and white)


John Street, Consett with Toy Corner shop on the left and the County Court at the bottom on the right, n.d. [1960s]
(1 photograph, 18 cm x 13 cm, black and white)


Victoria Road looking from Front Street with Lloyds Bank and Donaghys grocery shop on the right. Market Square is on the left, n.d. [1960s]
(1 photograph, 18 cm x 13 cm, black and white)


Victoria Road with the County Court on the right and co-operative funerals at the bottom. Alexandra Hotel pub on the left, now demolished, n.d. [1960s]
(1 photograph, 18 cm x 13 cm, black and white)


Town Clock in Consett with Sunderland bus stop on the left. New Plaza cinema on the right together with Beveridge's flower shop, n.d. [1960s]
(1 photograph, 18 cm x 13 cm, black and white)


County Court in Consett on the right edge in Victoria Road with car parking opposite, which is now a Post Office, n.d. [1960s]
(1 photograph, 18 cm x 13 cm, black and white)


Burton Hotel on the corner of Victoria Road, Consett, n.d. [1960s]
(1 photograph, 18 cm x 13 cm, black and white)


Havelock Street, Consett with a school at the bottom, which is now the Register Office. All buildings on the sides have been demolished, n.d. [1960s]
(1 photograph, 18 cm x 13 cm, black and white)

Miscellaneous Documents salvaged by Chief Clerk (Ref: CCo/Con 45)

These records were found by the Chief Clerk as the court prepared to move to new premises in the 'Old Telephone Exchange'. The precise date was not given, but the clerk in question served between 1966 and 1971.

Tenancy of the Court Buildings (Ref: CCo/Con 45/1)

Letter from R. S. Gowland, in the office of the First Commissioner of Her Majesty's Works to inform the Registrar of the County Court at Consett that their tenancy expires on 1 April 1885 and that the board propose to build new offices in lieu of renewing the tenancy, 27 November 1884
(1 paper, printed)

Elections (Ref: CCo/Con 45/2)

Applications by Durham County Council for the taxation of the account of charge claimed by the Returning Officer regarding the election of county councillors, 13 March - 2 April 1889
(7 papers)

Employee Records (Ref: CCo/Con 45/3-7)

15 December 1863 (1) John Clements of Shotley Bridge, bailiff (2) William Johnson Clements of Shotley Bridge, bailiff (3) Henry Brown of Consett, auctioneer (4) John Booth the Younger, registrar Bond of (1), (2) and (3) for the performance of (1)'s duties as clerk to (4) Consideration: £200 (1) and £100 (2) and (3)
(1 paper)


Appointment of Booth Lazenby, solicitor, as registrar of the County Courts of Durham held at Consett, signed by Edgar John Meywell, judge of that court, 9 February 1899
(1 paper)


Applications for the position of cleaner at Consett County Court, with a list of duties and a memorandum signed by the successful applicant, Ellen Quinn, 28 December 1910 Names of applicants: Ellen Quinn; Maggie Richardson; Lily Donnelly; Beatrice Anderson; Mary Spry; Annie Worrall; Mary Ann Stephenson; Louisa Westwater; Mary Ann Hamilton; Dorothy Woodley
(14 papers)


Correspondence between the County Courts Branch of the Lord Chancellor's Department and Consett County Court regarding the appointment of a junior clerk, Leonard Johnstone, and his eligibility to enter for an unnamed examination that will qualify him for permanent service, 28 November 1923 - 5 August 1925
(4 papers)


Letter to J. McBarton, unspecified employee of the County Court of Durham, held at Consett, informing him that, following a reorganisation of the department, his salary will be £247 per annum, September 1924
(1 paper)