of both Councils. The statutory power to make Acts of Sederunt granted in sections 16 and 17 of the Act was consolidated and replaced by sections 5 and 6 of the Court of Session Act 1988 (UK). Criminal procedure Courts were given a discretion to continue a solemn proceeding in cases where a juror died or became unfit to continue serving, provided that the number of continuing jurors was not less than twelve. Should the jury return a majority verdict of guilty, there must be at least eight jurors supporting that verdict. Either side in criminal trials on indictment were given a right to admit documents without formal proof by the other side; by agreement between the prosecution and defence, copies of documents might be tendered as if they were the originals; but, if not legally represented, the accused may not so admit nor agree. Sheriffdoms A power to reorganise the then fifteen territorial sheriffs and the sheriff of Chancery was created. The Secretary of State for Scotland was permitted to form new sheriffdoms by uniting two or more counties or parts of counties should a vacancy occur in the office of sheriff; but such orders were not to take effect until both Houses of Parliament have resolved to approved them. 1934 Rules of Court After commencement of the Act, new Rules of Court for the Court of Session were embodied by Act of Sederunt in 1934. The then Lord President Clyde wrote in the Preface to the new Rules: "The purpose of these Rules is not to provide a comprehensive summary of Court of Session procedure, but to reform and extend the existing procedure so far as necessary to adapt it to the new conditions created by the Act .... "As regards matters of procedure, the Act restores to the Court of Session its ancient autonomy which modern legislation had almost smothered." See also Administration of Justice (Scotland) Act 1972 (UK) Court of Session Act 1988 (UK) Notes A. The Bill Chamber was "under the same roof" as the Court of Session, but was a separate court or jurisdiction. Its history and function were discussed in the Report of the Royal Commission on the Court of Session and the Office of Sheriff Principal (1927) which concluded "the usefulness of the Bill Chamber as a Court separate from the Court of Session no longer exists." B. Juries in civil causes