Dean of Guild

Dean of Guild, in Scotch burghs, was the head of the mercantile body called the Guild-brethren (see GUILD). In former times (Act 1593, chap. 180) he was a judge in mercantile and maritime causes within the burgh, but for a very long period he has been rather what might be called a Scotch kind of Edile (q.v.). His chief duty is now to see that buildings within the burgh are erected according to law, and, in case of their falling into a ruinous condition, to order them to be pulled down. Though in some of the larger burghs the dean of guild is still (3 and 4 Will. IV. chap. 76, sect. 22) a member of the town-council ex officio, his jurisdiction is altogether separate from that of the bailie-court. In Edinburgh the Dean of Guild Court, in addition to the dean of guild, consists of five members of the town-council, and five registered electors of the city, not being councillors, of whom three must be architects, civil engineers, ordained surveyors, or master-builders. They are assisted by the law assessors of the magistrates of the city. No building can be either erected or demolished, or even materially altered, without a warrant from this court. Ventilation and sanitary arrangements are under the control of this court. Opposition to the granting of the warrant may be offered either by a private party or by the corporation acting for the public interest. The enforcement of the Act 1698, chap. 8, as to the height of buildings, the thickness of the walls, &c., lies within the province of the Dean of Guild Court. The judgments of the Dean of Guild Court may be reviewed by the Court of Session.