1609. Skene, Reg. Maj., 74. Birlaw courts, the quhilks are rewled be consent of neighbours.
1609. Hume, Admon., in Wodr. Soc. Misc., 587. Birlay Courtis.
1750. C. Campbell, in Scots Mag. (1753), 454/2. I think it is quite right to have birliemen.
1791–9. Statist. Acc. Scot., IV. 512 (Jam.). Crawford This towne consists of above 20 freedoms.—This little republic was governed by a birley court, in which every proprietor of a freedom had a vote.
1798. D. Graham, Hist. John C., Wks. 1883, II. 102. The good man being a sworn birley-man of that barony.
1814. Scott, Wav., xlii. Jamie Howie, wha’s no fit to be a birlieman, let be a bailie.
1866. Proc. Berw. Nat. Club, 261. Birley Courts, in the traditions of the Borders a name for any particularly stormy meeting.
