To the lord mayor and city of London belong several courts of judicature. The highest and most ancient is that called the bylinges, destined to secure the laws, rights, franchises, and customs of the city. The second is a court of request, or of confidence; of which before. The third is the court of the lord mayor and aldermen, where also the sheriffs sit; to which may be added two courts of sheriffs and the court of the city orphans, whereof the lord mayor and aldermen have the custody. Also the court of common council, which is a court or assembly, wherein are made all by-laws which bind the citizens of London. It consists, like the parliament, of two houses: an upper, consisting of the lord mayor and aldermen; and a lower, of a number of common council men, chose by the several wards, as representatives of the body of the citizens. In the court of common council are made laws for the advancement of trade, and committees yearly appointed, &c. But acts made by them are to have the assent of the lord mayor and aldermen, by stat. 11 Geo. I. Also the chamberlain's court, where every thing relating to the rents and revenues of the city, as also the affairs of servants, &c. are transacted. Lastly, to the lord mayor belong the courts of coroner and of escheator; another court for the conservation of the river Thames; another of gaol-delivery, held usually eight times a year, at the Old Bailey, for the trial of criminals, whereof the lord mayor is himself the chief judge. There are other courts called guardmotes or meetings of the wards; and courts of halymote or assemblies of the several guilds and fraternities.