The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1856-12-19
The County Courts of England.


Tho following article, attributed to tho
pom of Richard II. Dana, Jr., Of Boston,
bears testimony Of the reform, adopted in
Maine, in relation to tho admission Of par
ties to testify in their own suits. IL also
shows that Courts of Cancellation arc prac-
tically and successfully in operation 10 Eng
land. The article is full Of useful informa-
ton about the judicial system Of England.
It is taken from tho Boston Law Reporter,
for November:-
A court, without lawyers and without q
jury, is q novelty, If not an anomaly
Such, practically, Is IN English County
Court.
BY the invitation Of Adolphus, known to
the profession as q learned reporter and lead
ing barristcr, and now acounty court judge
/ attended session Of his court, In the Ma
ry.le-bone district Of London. Tho Court
house Is largo building, with Its name
printed on large sign over the door, and
easily found by the poorer class Of suffers
who may seek for It. The lower story Is oc-
cupied by the officers Of the registrar and
bailiffs, and tho upper by the courtroom.
II was about noon; the courtroom was well
filed with parties and witnesses; tho judge
sat upon the bench, in barristcr's wig and
gown; the registrar sat below him, as doea
the clerk Of our courts, and there was rca.
sonable attendance Of bsilifIs and other Off.
GERS. ...... ..... Ia,
Tho course.of proceedings may be bcst pre-
sentcd to tho reader by o familiar description
The registrar calls case "John Lucas
John Lucas is John Lucas in court" CALL
tho bailiG. John Lucas appears and take
his stand in tho witness box, on the len o'
the judge, and is sworn. Mr.. Brown u
called in tho same manner, and takes hh
seat in the samo manner, and takes his plac'
at the opposite box. They arc in full sight
of each other, separated by tho registrar
dosk. There arc no written pleadings, bu,
only tho names and descriptions Of tho par
ties, and the plaintiffs bill, mado out like
shop bill, and sworn to. Tho judge readl
over the bill 70 the plaintiff, and examines
him upon It, and requires him 10 tell hi
story, whom and how tho contract was made
the goods delivered, and Why tho bill wn,
not paid. He then asks defendant II hs
wishes to examine the plaintiff. Mr.. Brown
is quito ready to do 30, and o series Of quc'
tions Is put and replied to, which develops
the real issue quits a. well as tho bst special
pleading. Perhaps tho very fnt question BY
the defendant shows that ho has no defencs,
except as to tho mode Of payment; or else,
that the dispute turns on tho valuc or con-
dition Of some Of the articles. ..t ....
"Mr. Lucus, didn't my wife tell you that
tho pitcher was broken, and that tho plates
were not worth moro than two shillingf'
Then you admit" ays the judge "tha'
you received oil these articles, Mr.. Brown"
"I don't deny that, your honor" l4
Have you got them nowi" ag
"Yos, sir Z"
The judge thcnlintcvoues as day's-man
betwcen them, and alter little talk between
tho parties and tho judge, and psrbsps IN
examination Of Mrs. Brown - 70 tho oondi.
ton Of tho pitcher and plates. the p'.inan
deduc.s . little from his bull, and saxs .
judgsment BY inssalmsuh, u 81 l"' p''
month. s'hl