Legal Definitions - practicks

Definition: Practicks (prak-tiks) is a collection of old notes about points of practice, decisions of the Court of Sessions, statutes, and forms, compiled by members of the court. It is usually in the plural form. An example of practicks is Balfour's Practicks (1469-1579). These notes were a precursor of law reports and remain historical legal literature of some authority.

Example: In Scotland, practicks were used as a reference for legal practitioners to understand the law and court procedures. Balfour's Practicks, for instance, was a compilation of notes that provided guidance on how to conduct legal proceedings in the Court of Sessions. It contained information on the forms to be used, the procedures to be followed, and the decisions made by the court. These notes were important in shaping the legal system in Scotland and remain relevant today as historical legal literature.