ADMIRALTY COURT.—LEAVE.

HC Deb 17 March 1859 vol 153 cc293-4

MR. HADFIELD

said, he had to move for leave to introduce a Bill to enable ser- jeants, barristers-at-law, attorneys, and solicitors to practise in the Court of Admiralty. Three years ago the House decided that compensation should he given to the proctors for opening up this Court to all legal practitioners. That was submitted to, but the clause was struck out in another place. The proctors had received £72,000 as compensation, and still they clung to this Court, although they had been allowed to practise at common law. He would reserve further remarks for the second reading of the Bill.

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL

said, he was far from disagreeing in any respect with the remarks of the hon. Gentleman who proposed to bring in this Bill. The time had arrived when it became the imperative duty of the Government to consider this question, and he thought the Court ought to be open to all practitioners. He was surprised to hear it hinted that it was not the intention of the Government to take any step in the matter, because he knew it was their intention to bring in a Bill tending to accomplish all the objects mentioned by the hon. Gentleman, and to make other arrangements to which this Bill did not refer. If the hon. Gentleman still desired to bring in his Bill, there would be no objection to his doing so; but he thought it would be better to leave the matter in the hands of the Government, as certain provisions which were indispensably necessary could be better originated by the Crown than by any independent Member.

SIR RICHARD BETHELL

said, that if the Government Bill should be laid upon the table of the House, it would unquestionably be the desire of the promoters of this Bill to postpone it. Still it was desirable that this Bill should be brought in.

MR. HADFIELD

said, he was glad to hear that Government intended to legislate on this subject, but at the same time he was of opinion that advantages would be derived from having the Bill printed and circulated among hon. Members.

Leave given.

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