Ireland Law Libraries

Introduction

Conducting Irish genealogical research in a law library is generally for those with intermediate to advanced skills. However, anyone can search the Nominate Reports for names or families of interest in a specific area. In some instances there may be a family story indicating that there was a legal dispute over property in Ireland. While not all cases were recorded in the reports, those that set a precedent were summarized and published year-by-year.

Law libraries can be intimidating if you do not have a research plan and specific objectives. The reference staff typically does not assist family historians and rarely understands the research perspective from which you are approaching your investigation. With that in mind, the information in this Wiki page may help you with crafting your research strategy and identify specific items to request in your law library research. With this information, the staff will be very able to assist you.

Records in a Law Library

Nominate Reports

Nominate reports are similar to the Case Reporters in the United States. The term "nominate" came from the Latin nōmināri meaning "name" and was used to describe the summary judgments. It referred to the name of the person who actually wrote the reports.

All Courts

There are Nominate Reports covering all courts for the years 1798-1810; 1827-1838; and 1840-1841.

Appeals and Writs of Error

As the name suggests, these were writs issued in error by the law court or sovereign and the defendant is appealing the action.

Chancery

The Court of Chancery prepared important documents, writs and letters patent to which a seal was affixed. Chancery also played an equitable jurisdiction in cases or disputes in which no remedy was to be found in Common Law. The Nominate Reports for Chancery cases cover the years 1766-1791; 1802-1846; and 1850-1866.

Circuit Cases

The Nominate Reports for the Circuit Courts cover the years 1837-1846.

Common Law

The Nominate Reports for the Common Law Court cover the years 1604-1612; 1827-1831; and 1850-1879.

Common Pleas

Land disputes were the most common cases tried in the Court of Common Pleas and the most probable court for the names of commoners to be listed. The Nominate Reports for Common Pleas cover the years 1839-1840. For cases in other years, refer to the Exchequer Court.

Inns of Court - Admission Registers

• Society of King's Inn, Dublin -
• The Middle Temple, London -
• Lincoln's Inn, London -
• Gray's Inn, London -
• The Inner Temple, London -
• Inns of Chancery -
• Law Lists -

Source Citations for Legal Materials

Abbreviations for Nominate Reports - The name of the report is always abbreviated. The more common abbreviations are listed in the following table: