British Legal Jurisdiction and Indirect Rule in Colonial Settings

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What was the primary purpose of the Supreme Court Ordinance of 1876 in the Gold Coast Colony?

To enhance the powers of local chiefs

To abolish all native institutions

To establish an Admiralty jurisdiction in the region

To introduce a modern system of justice (correct)

How did Captain MacLean's extension of British rule outside the forts affect British law?

It was considered legal under British law

It made the extension lawful

It had no impact on British law

It was seen as an unlawful act (correct)

Under the policy of Indirect Rule, what dual role did the chiefs play?

They served as military commanders and lawmakers

They were authorities in local government and agents of the central government (correct)

They acted as representatives of the British government

They held absolute power over local jurisdictions

How did the Supreme Court Ordinance of 1876 impact the powers of chiefs in the Gold Coast Colony?

It took away some of their powers Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of the Admiralty jurisdiction in relation to the Supreme Court Ordinance of 1876?

It was outside the scope of the Ordinance Signup and view all the answers

Which best describes the application of native institutions under colonial rule?

Native institutions were adapted to modern government practices Signup and view all the answers

In the history of the Ghana legal system, who initially served as the political administrators in the trading ports?

Local chiefs Signup and view all the answers

When Sir Charles McCarthy arrived in the Gold Coast in 1822, what did he establish?

Local Petty Debt Courts Signup and view all the answers

What was established by the British Settlement Act?

Supreme Court Ordinance Signup and view all the answers

Which document, signed on March 6th, 1844, extended British dominion over the coastal states of the Gold Coast?

Supreme Court Ordinance of 1876 Signup and view all the answers

Who accepted the jurisdiction of the Queen of Great Britain and Ireland within their territories as per the Bond of 1844?

Judges from the forts Signup and view all the answers

What was the role of the magistrates initially appointed from local merchants in the Gold Coast?

To serve as political administrators Signup and view all the answers

According to the Supreme Court Ordinance of 1876, which laws were to be in force within the jurisdiction of the Court?

Common law, doctrine of equity, and statutes of general application in force in England in 1874 Signup and view all the answers

What was the mandate given to the Supreme Court regarding the application of common law and equity according to Section 18 of the Supreme Court Ordinance of 1876?

To apply and administer common law concurrently with equity Signup and view all the answers

Under the Supreme Court Ordinance of 1876, what was to prevail when there was a conflict between common law and equity concerning the same subject matter?

Doctrine of equity Signup and view all the answers

Which provision allowed the Supreme Court to apply local laws and customs under certain conditions?

Section 19 of the Supreme Court Ordinance Signup and view all the answers

Which provision stated that customary law could only be applied if it was not repugnant to natural justice, equity, and good conscience?

Section 87 of the Courts Ordinance Signup and view all the answers

What legal system prevailed in the Gold Coast Colony to resolve conflicts between received English Law and indigenous customary law?

The Dual Legal System Signup and view all the answers