Legal Definitions - barones scaccarii

Barones Scaccarii

This Latin term refers to the Barons of the Exchequer, who were the judges of the English Court of Exchequer. Historically, this court was one of the three superior common law courts in England, primarily responsible for managing the royal revenue, collecting taxes, and hearing legal disputes that involved the Crown's financial interests.

Over time, the Court of Exchequer, and thus the Barons who presided over it, expanded their jurisdiction to hear common law cases between private citizens, often through legal fictions that allowed such cases to be brought before them. Their functions were eventually merged into the High Court of Justice in the late 19th century.

Here are some examples illustrating the role of the Barones Scaccarii:

• Example 1: Resolving a Royal Tax Dispute

  Imagine a wealthy landowner in 15th-century England who believes he has been unfairly assessed for a new royal tax on his agricultural produce. He refuses to pay the full amount, claiming the calculation is incorrect and excessive. The Crown, seeking to recover the disputed funds, would bring a case against the landowner in the Court of Exchequer. The judges presiding over this case, tasked with determining the correct tax liability and ensuring the King's revenue was collected, would be the Barones Scaccarii.

• Example 2: Investigating Misappropriation of Crown Funds

  Consider a scenario where a royal customs officer, responsible for collecting duties at a busy port, is suspected of diverting a significant portion of the collected funds into his own pockets instead of the royal treasury. The King's legal representatives would initiate proceedings in the Court of Exchequer to investigate these allegations and recover any misappropriated money. The judicial panel hearing the evidence, questioning witnesses, and ultimately deciding the official's culpability regarding the Crown's finances would be the Barones Scaccarii.

• Example 3: Enforcing Debts Owed to the Monarch

  Suppose a prominent merchant received a substantial loan from the King to finance a trading expedition, but failed to repay it by the agreed deadline. The Crown, seeking to enforce the debt and recover its investment, would file a claim in the Court of Exchequer. The judges responsible for reviewing the loan agreement, assessing any interest or penalties, and issuing a judgment ordering the merchant to repay the King would be the Barones Scaccarii. This demonstrates their role in protecting and recovering the monarch's financial assets.