In 1837 a Parliamentary Commission took evidence on the operation of Manor Courts.  It heard evidence from John Jagoe.  He was from Bantry a Fish Merchant, had sat on a Fisheries Commission had engaged in correspondence with Dublin Castle on fisheries and non-denominatinal education.  His only son John became a barrister. He was admitted to Grey’s Inns London in 1835 aged 34.

In his evidence he said that there were Manor Courts in Bantry  and Leamcon (Schull).  They were generally held in public houses wiht a jury drawn from a low class.  The seneshal was drawn from  a drunken class and paid £50-£80 per annum.  His evidence suggested that the jury demanded cash or whiskey from the successful party.  This was referred to as a ‘cob’.  The jury did not retire but openly debated the verdict and onlookers could hear and influence.  The more respectable class of…