HC Deb 05 July 1859 vol 154 cc699-700
Mr. HADFIELD

said, he rose to move for leave to introduce a Bill to enable serjeants-at-law, barristers, solicitors, and attorneys to practise in the High Court of Admiralty. A similar Bill had twice before been introduced, and had been twice printed, and upon the last occasion its progress was only prevented by the close of the Session. The present hon. and learned Attorney General had put his name upon the back of one of the former Bills, and given his assent to the principles of the one which was now proposed. The principle involved had been admitted in the opening of the Probate Court to other practitioners than proctors, and the Bill only sought to remove the last vestige of monopoly in the administration of justice. The only question that could be raised was as to compensation for the proctors, but that was a point to be discussed in Committee, and, considering that the proctors had already received £69,000 compensation under the Probate Act, and were to receive more on account of the opening of the Divorce Court, he did not think they had any reason to complain, and he should certainly oppose the grant of any further compensation. With these observations he would conclude by asking for leave to introduce the Bill.

SIR GEORGE LEWIS

said, that in giving his assent to the introduction of the Bill, he wished to state that he concurred entirely in the principles laid down by the hon. Gentleman as to the opening of the Court, though he saw some difficulty as to the manner in which they were to be car- ried out. In one point the hon. Gentleman had understated his case. He said that the proctors had received compensation to the amount of £69,000, whereas the real fact was that they had received compensation to the amount of £69,000 a year. The question of compensation, however, was one which might be dealt with in Committee.

Leave given.

Bill to enable Serjeants, Barristers at Law, Attornies and Solicitors, to practise in the High Court of Admiralty, ordered to be brought in by Mr. HADFIELD and Mr. COLLIER,

Bill presented and read 1°.