§ Order for Second Reading read.
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, in moving the second reading of this Bill, said, that it was hardly to be expected that in an Act like the Probate Act, which introduced an entirely new process, there should not be some defects. The object of the present measure was to amend those defects, and the alterations were principally of a mere technical character. Thus, there was a provision that the Judge of the Admiralty might sit in relief of the Judge of the Probate Court, and vice versa, but the Judge might sit in chambers; and clerks who had served their time to proctors might become attorneys, and the like. He proposed to go into Committee on the Bill the next clay; but if there were any clauses which excited difference of opinion, he would postpone them till the next Session.
§ MR. MALINSsaid, as it was now determined to proceed with the measure, he hoped that the Bill would be considered in Committee on Monday,
§ LORD HOTHAMsaid, he had an objection to the 24th Clause, as he thought it would have an injurious effect upon country practitioners. Did the hon. and learned Gentleman intend to insist on that clause?
THE ATTORNEY GENERALsaid, he intended to propose the clause, but he would leave it wholly to the Committee.
§ MR. WARRENsaid, he would bog to remind the hon. and learned Gentleman of two Amendments of which be had given notice—namely, to throw open the non-contentious business to the Bar, and the Court of Admiralty to the legal profession generally. It was his intention to persevere with those Amendments.
§ MR. HADFIELDsaid, that in reference to the question alluded to by the hon. and learned Member for Midhurst (Mr. Warren), he would remind the House that it was in consequence of the other House having struck out a clause from the Bill of last Session that the non-contentious business was not thrown open to the Bar generally.
§ Bill read 2o and committed for To-morrow.