§ MR. RYLANDSasked Mr. Attorney General, Whether he has called the attention of the Lord Chancellor and of the Incorporated Law Society to the numerous instances of Solicitors of the High Court of Justice who have been scheduled by the Commissioners appointed to inquire into Corrupt Practices at Elections in 1880; and, whether any steps will be taken to remove their names from the Rolls?
§ THE ATTORNEY GENERAL (Sir HENRY JAMES)Sir, in cases where a solicitor has been guilty of misconduct it is usual for the Council of the Incorporated Law Society to take action and bring the misconduct complained of be- 1081 fore the Supreme Court. Upon reading the evidence given before the Election Commissioners I thought it my duty to call the attention of the Law Society to the fact that several solicitors were shown to have been guilty of bribery. A special Council was called to consider the subject; and, after full consideration by the members of the Council, it was resolved that the certificate of indemnity ought, under the present state of the law, to be regarded as a protection against proceedings which might result in the solicitor being struck off the Roll, although the statute does not technically afford this protection. Inasmuch as the evidence against the solicitors referred to had been obtained by their own statements, and as they had all received certificates of indemnity, I presume no proceedings will be taken against them.