HC Deb 08 June 1882 vol 270 cc466-7
MR. MARUM

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether his attention has been called to a report of the proceedings in the Bankruptcy Court in Dublin, on Wednesday the 24th of May, whereby it appears that the judges of that Court have been obliged to complain of the action of the Committee of the Law Library of the Four Courts in closing the same during the sitting of the Court of Bankruptcy, notwithstanding the reiterated remonstrances of the bar; whether he is aware that one of the judges stated that an important case had to be postponed, At great inconvenience, delay, and expense to the parties, solely because, the Library being closed, the counsel were unable to procure the necessary books for law argument; and, whether he can take steps to remedy such delay in the administration of justice and great inconvenience to the public?

MR. TREVELYAN

Sir, I have asked my right hon. and learned Friend the Attorney General for Ireland to deal with this Question, as it relates to a matter that does not come under my Department.

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. W. M. JOHNSON)

Sir, the Law Library at the Four Courts, Dublin, is a private collection of books maintained by voluntary subscription by Judges and barristers, and managed by a committee elected by the subscribers. The committee provide for the closing of the library at the usual periods to afford some holiday to the attendants. One of the learned Judges of the Bankruptcy Court is reported to have stated that he was informed by the other learned Judge of that Court to the effect set out in the Question of the hon. and learned Member; but I can hardly imagine that the eminent counsel practising in that Court could find any difficulty in taking their own books into Court if they required them for their arguments, or that any case should be postponed "to the delay and expense of the parties," because counsel had not brought his books into Court with him. The proper course, however, for the learned Judge, or any other person interested, is to bring the matter before the Library Committee.