§ THE SOLICITOR GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. PLUNKET)in moving for leave to bring in a Bill for the constitution of a Supreme Court of Judicature and for other purposes relating to the better administration of Justice, in Ireland, said, it differed in a few particulars from the Bill which last year obtained a second reading in that House. As far as the general objects of this Bill were concerned—namely, the application to Ireland of those great reforms in the system of Judicature which had been introduced in England—this Bill was, in the main, the same as that of last year. The chief point on which it differed was that, while effecting a reduction in the judicial strength of the Courts of Common Pleas and Exchequer, it proposed that the Judge of the Probate Court should retain his present position, that branch of business being of so much importance as to demand the whole time and attention of a Judge. The Bankruptcy Court would also remain as it was at present, and provision was made that when a vacancy occurred in the Judgeship of the Admiralty Court the jurisdiction of that tribunal would be transferred to the Probate Division of the High Court of Justice. Another variation from the Bill of last Session was the omission of the clauses relating to 242 the compulsory reference of cases to arbitration, which had been found to be exceedingly unpopular in Ireland. They had not been able to comply to the full extent with the desire expressed last year by some hon. Members by adding a complete Schedule of Rules and Orders; but they had introduced into the body of the Bill certain provisions which would, he believed, meet the substantial objection taken last Session to the absence of such a Schedule. He trusted that the present measure would be more fortunate than the one of last year; and he was sure that in the interests of the Bench, the Bar, and the public, the House would do well to put an end, as soon as practicable, to the protracted uncertainty which had prevailed in regard to the carrying out in Ireland of the great reforms in the Judicature of the country which had already been adopted in England. He therefore now moved for leave to bring in the Bill.
§ MR. MELDONsaid, he did not intend to enter into any discussion on the Bill; but, at the same time, he must congratulate the Solicitor General on the improvement which the measure had undergone since last year. Every alteration in the Bill was an improvement, and this might be said especially of the proposition to leave the administration of Bankruptcy as it was before. It was clear that the modifications in the Bill had been introduced by some one well acquainted with the difference in the circumstances of England and Ireland.
§ Motion agreed to.
§ Bill for the constitution of a Supreme Court of Judicature, and for other purposes relating to the better administration of Justice, in Ireland, ordered to be brought in by Mr. SOLICITOR GENERAL for IRELAND and Sir MICHAEL HICKS- BEACH.
§ Bill presented, and read the first time. [Bill 66.]