Star.
London, England, 1819-11-09 00:00:00

TER MAGISTRATES.

The CHIEF JUSTICE—I understand that there is a
person in attendance, not at the Bar, who is desirous
Of making a motion. Where is he ? (Mr. Hunt
rose.) You wish to make a motion. What is your
motion ?
Mr. HUNT—A motion against the Magistrates of
Manchester.
The Crust JUSTICE—What do you move for ?
Mr. lIoNT—I mean to move fur a Criminal In-
formation.
The Cults Jusricr—That is a motion which must
be made by some Gentleman at the Bar.
Mr. HUNT—My Lord, I have got affidavits.
The CH lEIP Just Ica—That may be, but the motion
which you think proper to make must be made on
behalf of his Majesty, and should be made either by
one of his Officers, or by some Gentleman at the
Bar. I can't hea: any motion upon such a subject,
except from a Gentleman at the Bar.
Mr. IIuNT-1 know of no instance, and I have
made every inquiry, as well as having consulted the
id books, in which a prosecutor has been prevented
from prefer4ing his complaint before this Court.
The JUSTICE—WeII, Sir, there is no in-
!ranee, within my knowledge, in which the Court
I:as suffered a motion to be made for leave to file a
Criminal Information by any other person, save a
(;entleinan at the liar.
The Co [Er JusTice then called upon Mr. I. POI.-
I.r•CK, who had risen to make a motion, when Mr.
1•Int interposed, and endeavoured to be heard.
The Cuter J u s E—l refuse to allow you to
any such motion ; and I repeat, it must .be
• by a Gentleman at the Bar.
T. HUNT sat down, and Mr. l'otLocx having
ied, he again addressed the Court, and said—
Lay I take the liberty of asking your Lordship's
:e as to the mode of proceeding which I ought
,dcipt ? • 1 bane beep told that the Courts of Jus-

tice are open to me. I have neither the means, nor
the inclination, to employ Counsel."
The CIVET JUSTICE—If you choose you can bring
your action for any wrong which you may have sus-,
mined ; you now apply fin- a Criminal Information.
This is a proceeding at the suit of the King, and I
state, that there is no instance in which the Court has
permitted such a motion to be made, unless by
Gentleman at the Bar. I shall not now establish a
precedent for the pursuit of a different course.
Mr. HUNT—Then I am not allowed any other pro-
ceeding than an action at law
The CHIEF Jusricr.—We will not allow you to
make a motion for a criminal information?
Mr. HUNT again attempted to speak.
The CHIEF JUSTICE—You have heard the deter-
mination of the Court.
Mr. HUNT—I call upon your Lordship to tell me
in what other shape I shall make.my application.
Mr. Justice Wm, EY—The Court cannot sit here to
advise suitors ; their time is that of the Public.
Mr. HI:NT—I am one of the Public.
Mr. Justice BAYLEY—I was about to explain to
you the grounds upon which the Court act, in order
that you may have an opportunity of knowing upon
what principle their decision is founded. Every party
has a right to come into a Court of Justice to conduct
his own su►t, or his defence, or to employ Counsel on
his behalf. In the distribution of justice, the Public
have certain rights, however, in which the King acts
on their behalf; and in order to enable him to act,
certain officers are appointed—l mean the Attorney
and Solicitor Generals ; and it has been also the course
for other Gentlemen of the Bar to stand in the same
situation. Gentlemen at the Bar have received an
education for the purpose, and they know what points
they may, consistently with the rules of law, submit
for the consideration of the Court : they know that
certain rules exist which they will take care not to in-
fringe; and, in conducting criminal prosecutions,
where persons are to be tried capitally or for a misde-
meanour, it is of the utmost importance that these
rules should be known and observed—otherwise pre-
judices might he excited in the minds ofJuries, which
no subsequent effort of the Judge could remove. I
am now speaking with respect to the conduct of cases
hefOre Juries, and I know of no distinction between
such cases and the case which you have now at-
tempted to introduce to our notice. If you have re- i
ceived any injury, it is open to you to bring your ac-
:ion ; but you cannot, consistently with the rules of
this Court, make a motion for a criminal informa-
tion, otherwise than through the medium of the Of-
ficers of the Crown, or a Gentleman at the Bar.

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