Brewer's: Cowper Law

a corruption of Cupar, etc., is trying a man after execution. Similar expressions are Jedwood, Jeddart, and Jedburgh justice. Cowper justice had its rise from a baron-baile in Coupar-Angus, before heritable jurisdictions were abolished. (See Lydford Law.)

“Cowper Law, as we say in Scotland—hang a man first, and then judge him.” —Lord de Ros: Tower of London.

Related Content Allusions Foreign Words and Phrases Latin and Greek Word Elements Names: Their Origins and Meanings Old Testament Names Mythology Ancient Greek Literature & Mythology The Bible (King James version) The Koran (translation by J. M. Rodwell) Shakespeare's Plays Tales from Shakespeare (Charles and Mary Lamb) Frequently Misspelled Words Frequently Mispronounced Words Easily Confused Words Writing & Language