Legal Definitions - jedge and warrant

Jedge and warrant is a historical term from Scots law that referred to the formal authorization granted by the Dean of Guild, a municipal official in a Scottish burgh (town), allowing the rebuilding or repair of a dilapidated or unsafe property. This permission was essential before undertaking significant structural work on such buildings, ensuring public safety and adherence to local standards.

• Example 1: Imagine a row of old stone buildings in 18th-century Edinburgh. One particular tenement, owned by Mr. MacGregor, has fallen into severe disrepair. Its roof leaks, walls are cracking, and a section of the facade is crumbling, posing a danger to passersby.

  How it illustrates the term: Before Mr. MacGregor could begin the extensive repairs needed to make the building safe and habitable again, he would have had to apply to the Dean of Guild for a "jedge and warrant." This official document would grant him the necessary legal authority to proceed with the structural work, ensuring it met local building standards and safety regulations.

• Example 2: In the bustling port town of Glasgow during the 19th century, a wealthy merchant, Ms. Campbell, owned a warehouse that had suffered significant damage from a fire. The building's structural integrity was compromised, and it was deemed unsafe for use.

  How it illustrates the term: To rebuild the damaged sections of her warehouse and restore it to a functional state, Ms. Campbell would have needed to obtain a "jedge and warrant" from the Dean of Guild. This authorization would have been crucial for her to legally undertake the reconstruction, confirming that the plans for repair and rebuilding complied with the burgh's regulations for public safety and urban development.

• Example 3: Consider a small, ancient cottage in a Scottish burgh in the early 19th century. The cottage, owned by the local baker, Mr. Henderson, had become so structurally unsound that it was beyond simple repair and was at risk of collapse. He wished to demolish it and build a new, safer dwelling on the same site.

  How it illustrates the term: Even for demolition followed by rebuilding, Mr. Henderson would have required a "jedge and warrant." This formal permission from the Dean of Guild would not only authorize the demolition of the dangerous structure but also approve the plans for the new building, ensuring that the entire process was legally sanctioned and adhered to the burgh's safety and construction standards.