Bill of Exceptions

Bill of Exceptions is a statement of objections, by way of appeal, against the decision of a judge who is trying a case with a jury in the Court of Session. The objection may be that the judge has misdirected the jury in point of law, or has improperly rejected or admitted evidence. The bill is argued before four judges, and if it is sustained, a new trial is ordered. The phrase was prior to the Judicature Act also used in England in the same sense, but is now merged in the 'motion for a new trial' (see TRIAL). In the United States, the phrase is used for a statement of the objections of either party to the ruling of the judge during the trial. Exceptions must be taken at the time, and should not be mixed up with supposed conclusions in matters of fact.