§ Order of the Day for the Second Reading, read.
THE EARL OF DONOUGHMORE, in moving that the Bill be now read the second time, explained that its object was to facilitate solicitors and attorneys in the recovery of their costs. The Bill consisted of only three clauses. The second of these made it lawful for any Judge of the Superior Courts of Law and Equity to authorize an attorney or solicitor to commence an action or suit for the recovery of his fees, charges, and also disbursements against the party chargeable therewith, or to refer his bill of fees, charges, and disbursements, and the demand of such attorney and solicitor thereupon, to be taxed and settled by the proper officer of the court in which such reference should be made, although one month should not have expired from the delivery of the bill of fees, charges, or disbursements, on proof to the satisfaction of said Judge that 846 there was probable cause for believing that the party chargeable therewith was about to quit England, or to become a bankrupt or a liquidating or compounding debtor, or to take any other steps or do any other act which, in the opinion of the Judge, would tend to defeat or delay such attorney or solicitor in obtaining payment. Clause 3 provided that the Bill should not extend to Scotland or Ireland.
§ Moved, "That the Bill be now read 2a. "—(The Earl of Donoughmore.)
THE LORD CHANCELLORwas extremely glad to welcome his noble Friend in the ranks of the Law Reformers. The Bill with which he had commenced was not a large one; but it was, nevertheless, likely to be useful so far as it went, as no doubt the present law sometimes operated with injustice. He (the Lord Chancellor) had, therefore, great pleasure in giving his support to the Bill.
§ Motion agreed to; Bill read 2a, and committed to a Committee of the Whole House To-morrow.