ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE IN SCOTLAND.

HL Deb 02 February 1807 vol 8 cc602-3

Lord Grenville

gave notice that he should, on this day se'nnight, present to the house a bill founded on the Resolutions passed last session, for rendering more effectual the Administration of Justice in Scotland. (See vol. vii. p. 730.)

Lord Hawkesbury

expressed a wish that full time might be allowed the learned gentlemen of the law in Scotland to make up their minds upon such a complicated and important measure before it passed into a law.

Lord Grenville

said, it was his wish that sufficient time should be allowed for the consideration of the subject. He must however remark, that ample time had already been given for its consideration since last session, during which interval there had been an opportunity of obtaining the opinions of professional men of eminence with respect to the details of the measure. If it was meant that an interval of equal, extent should again be allowed, it was evident the measure could not be carried through parliament in the course of the present session. That some measure of this nature should be adopted without delay was, he conceived, of the greatest importance, not only on account of the great defects which were acknowledged to exist in the Administration of Justice in Scotland, but also, on account of the discredit thrown upon that house, in consequence of the great number of appeals from Scotland, and which, from their being so numerous, unavoidably met with much delay in their decision.

Lord Eldon

confessed that he felt the difficulties as well as the advantages of the measure proposed by the noble baron. He had been employed in more Appeal causes than, he believed, any other man now living, and no man could be more convinced of the necessity of such a measure than he was. Not only Scotland but Ireland felt that necessity. He hoped, however, the intended bill would throw more light on the question than the resolutions afforded. At all events, he should most cheerfully contribute all that his experience and humble abilities enabled him to afford towards the advancement of the business.