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.

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Entry taken from Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, edited by the Rev. E. Cobham Brewer, LL.D. and revised in 1895.