The Sun.
London, England, 1853-11-08 00:00:00

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Last evening the first meeting 1 • • If,
session 1853-4, was held at the ".
Mr J. Pitt Taylor in the chair.
brar. James Stewart, the secretary, AMd herlwong
y recapitulate the progress made in law reform dur-
ing the past year. With regard to the law of real pro-
perty, it would be remembered that suggestions were
made for shortening deeds by reference to schedules—
this, however, had been but very little adopted by the
profession. But there was another suggestion, that re-
muneration for deeds by length should no longer be the
governing principle, and in this respect considerable pro
gress had been made. Another improvement in the law
of real property, for making the transfer of it as easyand
simple as the transfer of stock, had been suggested, but
was not at present carried out—though a committee of
the House of Commons had recognised it as a possible
plan—and had reported in its favour. Another project
which he had the honour of introducing, was the assur-
ance of titles. That plan had not only been entertained
by a committee of the House of Commons, consisting of
several members of the Government, who not only
thought it a possible plan, but carried it further than he
had proposed. They recommended the assurance, or
warranty of titles by the state. This system would do
away with the present costly mode of examination into
the titles of a large estate, on the sale of a small portion
of it. Great progress had been made in the plan far
making a large territorial map of the country, on a scale
sufficiently large for all practical purposes. A report had
been made and brought before the Treasury, and he had
been assured that the Chancellor of the Exchequer was
prepared to act upon it. The scale proposed was 26
inches to a mile. The enfranchisement of copyholds had
been carried out voluntarily to a large extent, and he
had no doubt it would work advantageously to the
country. In common law the first thing he would refer
to was the suggestion of the society in reference to the
law of partnership, recommending a limited liability. A.
committee had been appointed, and he had that day re-
ceived a series of questions on the subject, issued by the
commission. Next came the fusion of law and equity,.
The opinions and hopes formerly entertained on , this
subject were now gaining ground, and he had no doubt
that a bill would be brought in very shortly by Goy ,h "
ment for this desirable object.
The eHAIBMAN said- that a bill had been already
printed.

Mr. STEWART was glad to hear it. He had muoh
pleasure in referring to the reform in Chancery. Just
before he came in he had met one of the taxing masters
of the Court of Chancery, who was as good a judge as
any he could ask on this subject. He assured him there
was an entire change in the mode of conducting the
business in Chancery. All the ordinary business mat-
ters were conducted as cheaply and expeditiously as pos-
sible, and the Master's Office was greatly improved.
Things were now made as simple as possible, and neither
solicitors nor barristers as a rule complained of the
change. A. board for revising bills had been proposed.
and some steps had been taken in this direction. Some
improvements had been also effected in the law of lunacy.
With regard to legal education some progress, though
not much, had been made. The inns of Court must,
however, come forward and have compulsory examina-
tions before conferring the degree of barrister. The
subject for their present consideration was the appoint.
ment of a Minister of Justice. They had no such func-
tionary at present, and it was unknown whether respon-
sibility in legal matters remained with the Home Secre-
tary or the Lord Chancellor. Every other great depart.
ment of the State had a responsible officer, and it was
only just that they should know to whom they were to
apply, in case of anything going wrong in the law. He
believed that if a Minister of Justice were appointed,
the duties of that society would be at an end ; but, until
some such functionary was appointed, they ought to
continue their existence. He hoped the society would
consider the propriety of some such department of the
State. He concluded by moving the appointment of a
committee to consider the expediency of establishing a
Minister of Justice.

Mr. ALLEN seconded the motion, which was carried
nem. cons.

Mr. POLLEN then read a somewhat lengthy report of
the committee appointed to consider what improvement,
if any, could be made in the present system of Law
Reporting. The committee were of opinion that the
present system is defective and pernicious, both posi-
tively as respects the mode of making known the exposi-
tion of the law of the land, and comparatively as regards
the old practice. The report concluded by suggesting
that a Board should be appointed by the Crown for
revising and editing reports of judicial decisions.
Mr. VANSITTART NEALE seconded the adoption of
the report.
Mr. FRED. HILL suggested that instead of the appoint-
ment of a board, a single officer should be appointed
for the purpose.
The report was unanimously adopted.
The CHAIRMAN gave notice of motion "to consider
the law with reference to the receipt of property by
pawnbrokers and dealers in marine stores, to be referred
to the Criminal Law Committee."
A vote of thanks was then given to the chairman,
and the proceedings terminated.