IMITATION OF COUNTY COURT PROCESS BILL [H.L.] (Hansard, 22 June 1900)

§ THE EARL OF HALSBURY

My Lords, this is a Bill to amend the law with regard to the imitation of County Court process, and is rendered necessary by people doing such things as placing the Royal Arms at the head of documents demanding the payment of debts, and in various other ways imitating County Court process. This practice is a serious thing to the most ignorant of the population, and is attended with considerable iniquity. Of course it is an offence which may be proceeded against by a more serious and lengthy process, but the complicated nature of this process practically prevents the law being put in force. The Bill before your Lordships gives more summary powers, It enacts that— If any person, with intent to deceive, issues any document in imitation of or resembling the process of a County Court, or entitled so as to resemble County Court process, he shall be liable, on the order of a Judge of County Courts, to a fine not exceeding ten pounds, and in default of payment of the fine the Judge may commit him to any prison to which he has power to commit offenders for any time not exceeding fourteen days, unless the said fine be sooner paid.

§ THE LORD CHANCELLOR OF IRELAND (Lord ASHBOURNE)

I have no doubt that every one of your Lordships who has considered this question will entirely concur with the noble and learned Lord on the Woolsack that it is most desirable that such a measure as this should be passed to prevent the imitation of County Court process in the way described. I have received representations from the Incorporated Law Society of Ireland asking that the benefits of this legislation should be extended to that country. I have read the Bill, and so far as I can see it does extend to Ireland; but if there is any doubt on that point I am sure the noble and learned Lord on the Woolsack will consider it at a later stage.