KIRK-SESSIONS, the name of a petty ecclesiastical judicature in Scotland. Each parish, according to its extent, is divided into several particular districts; every one of which has its own elder and deacon to oversee it. A consistory of the ministers, elders, and deacons of a parish form a kirk-session.
These meet once a week, the minister being their moderator, but without a negative voice. It regulates matters relating to public worship, elections, catechising, visitations, &c. It judges in matters of less scandal; but greater, as adultery, are left to the presbytery; and in all cases an appeal lies from it to the presbytery.