§ Order of the Day for the Second Reading read.
§ THE LORD CHANCELLOR moved the second reading of this Bill, the object of which is to enable Serjeants, Barristers at-law, Attorneys, and Solicitors, to practise in the Court of Admiralty.
§ Moved, That the Bill be now read 2a.
LORD WYNFORDthought the proctors ought to receive some compensation for the injury which they would sustain under the provisions of the Bill. He understood that this measure had not even been submitted for the consideration of the learned Judge who presided over the Court.
§ THE LORD CHANCELLORsaid, he thought they had already received more compensation than they ought to have done. But besides that, their Lordships had no power to interfere in the matter, and he did not think the public ought to compensate gentlemen for the losses which they might sustain in consequence of professional changes.
§ LORD CHELMSFORDobjected to this Bill being passed without some compensation being given to the proctors for the loss of practice which it would occasion them, and contended that the change which it proposed to effect was not so urgent a matter that it need he hurried through Parliament during the present Session.
§ LORD CRANWORTHdenied that the Proctors had any claim to compensation, and stated that Dr. Lushington considered the admission of Barristers and Attorneys to practise in the Admiralty Court to be absolutely necessary and extremely urgent.
LORD BROUGHAMsaid, that if the proctors were compensated there would be no end to similar claims, which would constitute the greatest possible obstacle to the amendment of the law. It was, moreover, not competent for their Lordships to deal with money questions.
§ THE EARL OF RIPONsaid, that in 1857 the Government promised that this Court should be opened, and if the matter was urgent then it must be urgent now.
§ Motion agreed to.
§ Bill read 2a accordingly, and committed to a Committee of the whole House on Friday next.