The St Kilda Parliament

Responsibility for the welfare of the community rested with the St Kilda Parliament, a deliberative gathering made up of all adult men on the island. With the exception of Sundays, the members met each morning outside one of the houses along the street, sitting together in all weathers to consider a broad range of matters. Their principal task was to decide what work needed to be carried out that day and the manner in which it should be undertaken.

The St Kildans were familiar with, and lived according to, Mosaic Law, though crime on the island was virtually unknown. As a result, their laws were concerned largely with the fair division of property and the just sharing of resources. When disagreements did arise, they were usually resolved through discussion; if consensus could not be reached, lots were cast, and in the final instance an oath was sworn publicly on a small brass crucifix. It was believed that this solemn act entirely removed the possibility of falsehood.