Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-12-30
ASK FOR NEW COURT.
BAR ASSOCIATION PETITIONS FOR AN
ADDITIONAL TRIBUNAL.
1t IL Needed TO Relieve the Overcrowded
Dockets ofthe Circuit and Chance5y
Courfs-Jurisdiction.

It 10 the una Ilmous wish Of the Rich
mond Bar Association that this city shall
have another court to relieve to some
extent the overcrowded dockets Of the
Chanccry and Circuit courts.
At an adjourned meeting OF that body
held In its rooms at noon yesterday. the
matter was thoroughly discussed. and the
report Of the committee appointed on the
subject was adopted, there being not
single vote cast In opposition to It.
This session was presided over by Mr..
Jackson Guy, president OF the associa-
ton. and Mr.. w. o. SHELTON acted as sec
rotary pro tenn, Secretary James Lyons
being absent from tho city. Mr.. James
Lewis Anderson, on behalf Of the COM
mittee. Submitted the proposed bill drawn
up by that body to be presented TO the
Legislature. He explained the scheme In
full, and remarks touching the necessity
for an additional court were made by
Mr.. Beverly T. Crump. ex-Judge Leake,
Mr.. Charles ". Meredith, Judge George
l.. Christian, Major b. II. Nash, Major
A. X. Courtney Mr.. HIN Montague, James
Caskie, Edmund Waddill, and Eugene {.
Massey.
JURISDICTION DEFINED.
The bill IS one 10 establish the Law
and Equity Court In this city, defining
Its Jurisdiction and relations to the other
courts of Richmond. IL In TO be held by
judge with like qualifications of judges
OF circuit courts. who shall be chosen by
the Joint vote OF the two houses OF the
General Assembly. and shall hold his
office for term of gix years.
The Law and Equity Court shall. within
the corporate limits OF the city OF Rich
mond. have original Jurisdiction, concur
rent with the Chancery Court TO hear
and determine all suits and proceedings
which are cognizable by law In the Chan
Gerry Court, except the probate and re-
corlation Of Wills. the appointment and
qualification OF fiduciaries (save when II
may become necessary to appoint a fidu-
ciary In the progress OF suit pending
in said court), the ex-parte settlement or
their accounts, the docketing of tudg-
ments, the recordation of deeds and other
papers, and shall within the same limits
have original Jurisdiction concurrent with
the Circuit Court of Richmond In oil
such causes motions, matters, and things
as are cognizable by law In the Circuit
Court except such suits, motions prose
cutions &C, as are specially cognizable
by the Circuit Court under chapters 3d.
81. 30, and 157 and 20i. and section 34S2 OF
the Code of 1887
INJUNCTlONS, DEChEbS, &N.
The bill further provides that the Law
and Equity Court and the judge thereof
shall have the same power of a circuit
court or q circuit judge TO admit to bail,
award injunctiOns and the same juris-
dictton of proceedings by writ OF habeas
corpus. writ OF mandamus. &C The de-
crees and judgments OF the Law and
Equity Court are to be taken and allowed
as those OF a circuit court. 1t shall hold
four terms a year, beginning the second
Monday In February May. September,
and December, and continue as long as
the business before II requires. The bill
| calls for the court TO convene first on the
second Monday in the month succeeding
the month In which this act takes effect.
The Sheriff of the city will be officer Of
the new court, and he shall receive the
compensation, and be liable to the penal
ties Of sheriff OF the Circuit Court.
SALARIES AND OFFICERS.
The ball also stpulates that there shall
be clerk TO the Law and Equity Court,
who shall be elected in the mode, at the
same time, and for the same term Of the
Clerk of the Circuit Court of the city.
He is TO be governed by the same general
laws Of the Clerk OF the Circuit Court,
and to receive like fee and emoiuments.
and the same compensation OF the Circuit
Court Clerk. In case Of passage of the
bill right away the Law and Order Court
is to appoint a clerk, who shall hold
the office until such election next succeed
ing the passage Of the bill
The salary of the judge Is TO be the
same as that of the Chancery Court Of
this city. The bill goee on to stipulate
the workings of the courts in case Of
absence of one OF the judges,
removal for good causes OF cases
from one tribunal to another.
and says in conclusion that 1t shall be
the duty OF the city OF Richmond to pro-
vide a suitable courtroom, jury-room,
and clerks Office for the Law and Equity
Court.
On motion of Mr.. Crump. the bill was
unanimously adopted. and committee OF
seven, with President Guy as chairman,
appointed to present 1t 10 the Legislature
and urge its passage. The other gentle
men of the committee are Messrs James
Lewis Anderson, b. Il. Munford, c. v.
Meredith. George L. Christian. John Pick
rell i. II. Mcclure, and S. S. T.. Pate
SON