Mr. Charles Russellpresented a Petition from Reading, praying that the bill now pending in the Lords for the establishment of Local Courts might be passed into a law. The petition was numerously signed, and would have been signed by every inhabitant in Reading if more time had been allowed. He cordially concurred in the prayer of the petition, and believed that the bill, if passed into a law, would do a great deal of good, by preventing delay, vexation, and expense in obtaining justice. It would be an especial benefit to the working and poorer classes, and should receive from him the warmest support when it came into that House.
§ Colonel Sibthorppresented a similar petition from Lincoln. The great expense at present of law proceedings was a serious injury to all the middle classes, particularly to tradesmen. He rejoiced that one whose talents he admired, and whose loss 971 to that House he deplored—he rejoiced that the noble and learned Lord meant to carry forward the reforms in the law which he had first proposed in that House.
§ Mr. O'Connellwas extremely anxious to call the attention of the petitioners to the fact, that although the principle of local judicature was excellent, and of the most ancient practice, yet in the details of the bill introduced into the other House. there would be found many objections, such as the complexity of its provisions, and the utter impossibility of one man combining all the duties imposed upon him by the bill. These things would in a great measure prevent the bill being beneficial, but he still approved of it as an experiment, though he would advise petitioners to be cautious how they wished to extend the operations of the system until they found its effects by experience.
§ Colonel Sibthorpsaid, that the petition was signed by several gentlemen, eminent in the profession of which the learned Gentleman near him (Mr. O'Connell) was so distinguished a member. An easy access to justice had been too long denied to the people; and he could not agree that it was better to delay still longer for the sake of such a measure as the learned Member might approve.
§ Mr. O'Connellsaid, that he well knew that legal reform had been too long delayed; and all that he desired was, that, when granted, it should be effectual. He did not wish to discourage the petitioners, but he must repeat, that they would not find the proposed measure so efficacious as they expected.