Justizkanzlei
The Justizkanzlei is the oldest court of Lippe competent for civil
cases and at the same time Court of Appeal for the lower courts in the
country and in the cities. After the Hofgericht was introduced in 1593,
there was a certain competition between the two courts. In 1879, the Judicature
Act resulted in the dissolution of both courts.
Hofgericht
In 1593, the Hofgericht was introduced as higher court and were supposed
to replace the Justizkanzlei. However, until 1879, there was a co-existance
of both courts.
Religious court
After a consortium had been formed in 1556, as collegial central authority
for church and school matters, due to the Lippische Church Codes of 1538/1571,
the religious court was set up in 1600. Its jurisdiction covered all defects
and disputes resulting from church inspections and matrimonial causes with
the exception of the city of Lemgo that had its own Lutheran consistorial
court. The court was dissolved in 1879.
Criminal court
In 1650, a capital court (effecting interrogation under torture) was
set up for the entire country with the exception of Lemgo. Later, it was
renamed criminal court. The court was dissolved in 1879
Military court
The military court was set up in 1806 and dissolved in 1867 after conclusion
of the military convention with Prussia.
Freigerichte
Upon request of the Sovereign, enfeoffment of the Freigraf of Lippe
by the emperor, since 1422 by the Archbishop of Cologne. Freigerichte existed
in Biest near Lemgo, Schötmar, zum Falkenberg, in Wilbasen near Blomberg,
in Oesterholz near Cappel, and under the Stoppelmountain near Steinheim.
The Freigerichte lost more and more of influence and were without
importance around the end of the 17th century.
Gogerichte
From the 14th to the 16th century, the Gogerichte were methodically
acquired by the sovereign. The courts were competent for the lower jurisdiction
in criminal matters and were chaired by the Gografen appointed by the sovereign.
Since the 19th century without importance.
Town courts
In Lemgo, the town judges of the sovereign exercised the lower jurisdiction
apart from the council. In all other towns, the lower jurisdiction was
exercised by the council. The enforcement of the judgements were incumbent
on the judge of the sovereign. In 1791, a Fleckengericht with similar rights
was set up in Lage. In 1843, justice and administration were separated
in the towns and the town courts organizationally separated from the municipal
council were set up. In Lemgo, a legal municipal court was formed. The
town courts were dissolved in 1879.
Regional courts
After the Judicature Act came into force in 1879, a regional court
was set up for the Principality of Lippe that was under the authority of
the Oberlandesgericht (Higher Regional Court) Celle. Since 1947, the court
is assigned to the Oberlandesgericht Hamm.
Local courts
In 1879, local courts were set up in the Principality of Lippe that
took over the jurisdictional functions that had previously been looked
after by the regional administrations. The regional court districts of
Detmold included or includes the following local courts:
Amtsgericht Alverdissen
The court was dissolved in 1996. Jurisdiction was taken over by the
Amtsgerichte Blomberg and Lemgo.
Amtsgericht Bad Salzuflen
The court was dissolved in 1977. Jurisdiction was taken over by the
Amtsgericht Lemgo.
Amtsgericht Blomberg
Amtsgericht Detmold
Amtsgericht Lemgo
Amtsgericht Hohenhausen
The court was dissolved in 1969. Jurisdiction was taken over by the
Amtsgericht Lemgo.
Amtsgericht Horn
The court was dissolved in 1970. Jurisdiction was taken over by the
Amtsgericht Detmold.
Amtsgericht Lage
The court was dissolved in 1979. Jurisdiction was taken over by the
Amtsgericht Detmold.
Amtsgericht Oerlinghausen
The court was dissolved in 1979. Jurisdiction was taken over by the
Amtsgericht Detmold.
Source:
Kurzübersicht über die Bestände des Nordrhein-Westfälischen
Staatsarchives und des Personenstandsarchives Westfalen-Lippe. Detmold,
1994