登陆注册
5247300000045

第45章 VIII. (3)

First, Because in ancient Times the Pleadings were drawn at the Bar, and the Exceptions (also) taken at the Bar, which were rarely taken for the Pleasure or Curiosity of the Pleader, but only when it was apparent that the Omission or the Matter excepted to was for the most part the very Merit and Life of the Cause, and purposely omitted or mispleaded because his Matter or Cause would bear no better: But now the Pleadings being first drawn in Writing, are drawn to an excessive Length, and with very much Labouriousness and Care enlar ged, lest it might afford an Exception not intended by the Pleader, and which could be easily supplied from the Truth of the Case; lest the other Party should catch that Advantage which commonly the adverse Party studies, not in Contemplation of the Merits or Justice of the Cause, but to find a slip to fasten upon, tho' in Truth, either not material to the Merits of the Plea, or at least not to the Merits of the Cause, if the Plea were in all Things conform to it.

Secondly, Because those Parts of Pleading which in ancient Times might perhaps be material, but at this Time are become only mere Styles and Forms, are still continued with much Religion, and so all those ancient Forms at first introduced for Convenience, but now not necessary, or it may be antiquated as to their Use, are yet continued as Things wonderfully material, tho' they only swell the Bulk, but contribute nothing to the Weight of the Plea.

Thirdly, These Pleas being mostly drawn by Clerks, who are paid for Entries and Copies thereof, the larger the Pleadings are, the more Profits come to them, and the dearer the Clerk's Place is, the dearer he makes the Client pay.

Fourthly, An Overforwardness in Courts to give Countenance to frivolous Exceptions, tho' they make nothing to the true Merits of the Cause; whereby it often happens that Causes are not determined according to their Merits, but do often miscarry for inconsiderable Omissions in Pleading.

But, Secondly, I shall consider what is the Reason that in the Time of Edw. I one Term contained not above two or three Hundred Rolls, but at this Day one Term contains two Thousand Rolls or more.

The Reasons whereof may be these, viz.

1st. Many petty Businesses, as Trespasses and Debts under 40s. are now brought to Westminster, which used to be dispatched in the County or Hundred Courts; and yet the Plaintiffs are not to be blamed, because at this Day those inferior Courts are so ill served, and Justice there so ill administred, that they were better seek it (where it may be had) at Westminster, tho' at somewhat more Expence.

2dly, Multitudes of Attorneys practising in the Great Courts at Westminster, who are ready at every Market to gratify the Spleen, Spite or Pride, of every Plaintiff.

3dly, A great Increase of People in this Kingdom above what they were anciently, which must needs multiply Suits.

4thly, A great Increase of Trade and Trading Persons, above what there were in ancient Times, which must have the like Effect.

5thly, Multitudes of new Laws, both Penal and others, all which breed new Questions, and new Suits at Law, and in particular, the Statute touching the devising of Lands, cum multis aliis.

6thly, Multiplication of Actions upon the Case, which were rare formerly, and thereby Wager of Law ousted, which discouraged many Suits: For when Men were sure, that in case they rested upon a bare Contract without Specialty, the other Party might wage his Law, they would not rest upon such Contracts without reducing the Debt into a Specialty, if it were of any Value, which created much Certainty, and accorded many Suits.

And herewith I shall conclude this Chapter, shewing what Progress the Law has made, from the Reign of King Edw. I down to these Times.

同类推荐
  • The Trail of the White Mule

    The Trail of the White Mule

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • The Deserted Woman

    The Deserted Woman

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 佛说十一面观世音神咒经

    佛说十一面观世音神咒经

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 女红传征略

    女红传征略

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 福王登极实录

    福王登极实录

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
热门推荐
  • 瑜伽师地论略纂

    瑜伽师地论略纂

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 青龙偃月刀

    青龙偃月刀

    本故事发生在宋朝咸平、景德年间,以宋辽战争为历史背景,讲述了一代大侠杨承英之子杨铭的江湖经历。家仇国恨、悲欢离合、侠义豪情、世事人心。在故事的最后,杨铭与杨延昭(杨六郎)一起抗辽,大败辽军,最后使辽宋和谈,双方罢兵,结束了两国长达二十五年的战争,史称“澶渊之盟”。
  • 怦然心动:首席前妻强势来袭

    怦然心动:首席前妻强势来袭

    如果有人问韩沫凉面对危险,是选择拿刀还是放弃抵抗?七年前的韩沫凉会说:“如果这个人是秦正庭,我什么都不用拿,直接扑倒!”七年后的韩沫凉会说:“如果这个人是秦正庭,我会等他体力透支后,再拿刀插他!”奈何韩沫凉低估了秦正庭的能力,因为,她根本没有可能拿起刀!
  • 骇世弓神

    骇世弓神

    手持一把神奇弓箭,出奇谋破了山贼计谋,却又卷入了两大势力的争斗之中,陷入两难抉择。生死抉择之间,看他如何逃离两大势力控制,踏上至尊神人之巅。
  • 末世之寻无心

    末世之寻无心

    撒哇果是个朝九晚五的小白领,有一天她醒来发现自己身处在游戏世界里,她在游戏里种菜打怪,当她再一次回到现实世界中时,现实世界已经是末世一个月以后了,她发现她在现实生活中能够使用游戏的一切技能东西,看看撒哇果怎么在末世生存吧。
  • 财迷王妃

    财迷王妃

    【文案】穿越,让我从白领丽人变成八岁孩童,而且是个有娘生没爹疼的庶出女。随遇而安的我本想安安心心的当个普通小老百姓,可是,古代不好混啊!为了不被老爹打包出售,只好努力赚钱,争得婚姻自主权,有钱的是老大嘛。郡主干姐姐的麻烦事太多,未来干姐夫兼同门心太冷,神秘师傅的遗书太吓人,杀手影卫的抬杠功夫太厉害……还是世子老公最好,虽然有点腹黑,可是咱不怕,咱也不是善良之辈,黑吃黑怎样?但是,为什么黑未吃黑,那个穿着龙袍活的不耐烦了的家伙就跑出来客串了呢?没关系,咱两个先合起来把你干掉……只是,好像出了点小状况,真的只是一点点的状况……***********女主不是绝色,但男主绝对是绝色,美男啊……男主腹黑专情型……女主聪明腹黑型……总之,两个都不是什么好东西。但是,文一定是好文……【看完本文全部V章节只需5元左右】现半价回馈读者,一次性订阅全部章节,五折收费。推荐自己的架空文:【鸾凤鸣】【已完结】自己架空文【凤戏东宫】【正在连载】亲们要多多支持哦。收藏、票票、留言都可以……
  • 玫瑰花的葬礼

    玫瑰花的葬礼

    夏天清拿着手机一行一行往下翻书目,真不好意思承认这些是她自己写的。要是被人知道四大财团之一的夏氏医药的继承人,每天爱好是打开电脑写小黄文,大概他们家股票会跌的。青岗市不大,贵在背靠名山,因此每到夏天避暑季节,很多名媛绅士候鸟一样聚集过来,聊以度夏。现在夏天清就被困在一场上流社会的交集宴会上,前后左右都在谈高雅深奥的话题,就她拿手机上网,看自己写的小黄文。
  • 十月围城(独家完结)

    十月围城(独家完结)

    【《十月围城》小说完结版7月15日12点独家发布,领先电视剧播出一步,敬请阅读。电视剧由钟汉良、刘小小主演,4大卫视热播中】清末民初的省港地区,一个草根小人物——车夫阿四的逆袭。宣统二年,同盟会在香港商议举行大规模反清起义活动。广东将军铁山奉诏刺杀孙中山。为了确保孙中山顺利召开会议并且安全离开香港,富商之子李重光甘愿作为孙中山的替身便于引开铁山等人的注意力,要求黄包车夫阿四故意拉着重光在众目睽睽之下逃亡,于是遭到了铁山的杀手层层围追堵截……
  • 超级抢红包系统

    超级抢红包系统

    群里的红包,抢不到?来看看林影是怎么抢红包的吧!随身携带抢红包系统,就再也不用担心抢不到红包了。还可以加入一些特殊群,比如修真群、妖族群、魔族群、灵兽群……,如果潜入这些群抢红包会怎样?他们的红包就不仅限金钱了。......
  • 桂花树下的那个男孩

    桂花树下的那个男孩

    一别多年,他依旧是当年那个桂花树下的男孩。