BILL-CHAMBER is a particular department of the court of session in Scotland (coeval with the establishment of that court itself in 1532), the business of which cor responds, in many respects, to the practice of the judges' chambers in England. It is called the B., because, formerly in Scotland, judicial proceedings were for the most part commenced by a writ called a bill, which was the skeleton or (haft of the legal process which it was sought to have issued, and which bill was obtained in this partic ular department of the court. For such purpose, as well as for other matters which do not admit of delay, the B. accordingly sat, as it continues to sit, all the year round, and as in England, it. is presided over by a single judge. This judge, to whom for the ti:nc are delegated the whole powers of the court, is called the lord ordinary on the bills, and during tr.' sittings of the court of session, the duty is taken by the junior or last appointed judge of the court; but in vacation time, the business of the B. is performed in rotation by the six judges of the court who are not justiciary or criminal judges. In case of the indisposition or absence of any of these six judges, any judge of the court of session may net for him. A recent act, the 20 and 21 Viet. c. 18, now regulates
many of the details of the procedure.
The business of the B. consists of all matters of a summary nature; and generally all cases requiring the immediate interposition of judicial authority are proceeded with, in the first instance, in the Applications for interdict or injunction, and warrants necessary for the execution of process, are there at once made. The pre liminary procedure by way of appeal from inferior courts, and in order to stay execu tion on the judgments of these tribunals, also takes place, in the first instance, in the bill-chamber. Matters of bankruptcy or sequestration are also adjudicated on in this department. But the decision of the judge or lord ordinary officiating in the B., may, with some exceptions, lie brought under review of the court; and the judgment of the court itself thus sitting on B. Gases, may be brought before the house of lords by appeal, :es in ordinary cases. See COURT OF SESSION, JUDGE'S CHAMBERS.