HC Deb 21 September 1886 vol 309 cc1122-3
LORD CLAUD HAMILTON (Liverpool, West Derby)

asked Mr. Attorney General, Whether Her Majesty's Judges, in addition to considering the question of the present system of holding Assizes, are also considering the expediency of altering the Rules and Orders, so as to allow suitors in the Probate and Divorce Divisions to institute interlocutory proceedings in the District Registry; and, whether the sittings for the trial of Probate and Divorce and Admiralty actions, by one of the Judges of that Division, can be periodically held in some of the large centres in the Provinces?

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL (SIR RICHARD WEBSTER) (Isle of Wight)

It has not, of course, been possible for me to communicate with Her Majesty's Judges since the Question of the noble Lord was placed on the Paper. I may say, however, that the whole question of local centres, including interlocutory proceedings, has been brought before, and is engaging the attention of, the Judges. There are difficulties in the way of allowing interlocutory proceedings in Probate and Divorce actions to be taken in District Registries owing to the special character of the practice, cannot hold out any prospect of local sittings of the Judges of the Probate, Divorce, and Admiralty Division.