either remove their proceedings to be determined here, or prohibit their progress below. It superintends all civil corporations in the kingdom. It commands magistrates and others to do what their duty requires, in every case where there is no specific remedy. It protects the liberty of the subject by speedy and summary interposition. It takes cognizance both of criminal and civil causes the former is what is called the crown side, or crown office; the latter the plea side of the court. This court has a particular jurisdiction, not only over all capital offences, but also over all other misdemeanors of a public nature, tending either to a breach of the peace, or to oppression or faction, or any manner of misgovernment; and it is not material whether such offences, being manifestly against the public good, directly injure any particular person or not. The Court of King's Bench, as it is the highest court of common law, hath not only power to reverse erroneous judgments for such errors as appear the defect of the understanding, but also to punish all inferior magistrates, and all officers of justice, for wilful and corrupt abuses of their authority against the obvious principles of natural justice, the instances of which are so numerous, and so various in their kinds, that it seems needless to attempt to insert them. The officers on the crown side are, the master of the crown office, who taxes costs, nominates all special juries, takes recognizances, &c.; the secondary; the clerk of the rules; the examiner The and calendar-keeper; clerks in court. secondary, or master, constantly attends the sitting of the court, to receive matters referred to him by the judges to be examined and reported to the court: he signs all judgments, taxes costs, &c. The marshal, by himself, or deputy, always attends the court, to receive into his custody such prisoners as shall be committed. The crier makes proclamations of summoning and adjourning the court, calls nonsuits, and swears jurymen, witnesses, &c. &c. LIST OF THE JUDGES AND OFFICERS OF THE COURT Lord Chief Justice-Lord Ellenborough, 13, St. James's G. S. Holroyd, Esq.-Clerks, Mr. Batchellor and Mr. The lord chief justice of this court receives a salary of 60001. per annum, and the other three judges 3000l. each. The most eminent counsel are, Messrs. Topping, Brougham, and Leicester. Court of Common Pleas Is one of the king's courts, now constantly held at Westminster Hall, but in ancient times was moveable, as appears by magna charta, chap. 11th. The jurisdiction of this court is general, and extends itself throughout England: it holds plea of all civil causes at common law, between subject and subject, in actions real, personal, and mixed; and it seems to have been the only court for real causes. In personal and mixed actions, it hath a concurrent jurisdiction with the king's bench; but it hath no cognizance of pleas of the crown. This court does not possess any original jurisdiction; nor has it, like the court of king's bench, any mode of proceeding in common cases pecufiar to itself. Its authority is founded on original writs issuing out of the court of chancery; which original writs are the king's mandates for the court to proceed in the determination of the causes mentioned therein. In this court are four judges, created by letters patent: the seal of the court is committed to the custody of the chief justice. The other officers of this court are, the custos brevium, three prothonotaries and their secondaries, the clerk of the warrants, clerk of the essoines, fourteen filazers, four exigenters, a clerk of the juries, the chirographer, clerk of the king's silver, the clerk of the treasury, clerk of the seal, of outlawries, and the clerk of the enrolment of fines and recoveries, clerk of the errors, &c. To these officers may be added, a proclamator, a keeper of the court, crier, and tipstaffs, besides the warden of the Fleet. There are also attornies of this court, whose number is unlimited; and I none may plead at the bar of the court in term time, or sign any special pleadings, but sergeants at law. COURT OF COMMON PLEAS. Lord Chief Justice-Sir Vicary Gibbs, Knt.-Clerks, J. Cox, Esq. and Mr. T. Gordon. First Puisne Judge-Sir R. Dallas, Knt.-Clerk, Mr. Pyke. Second Puisne Judge-Sir James Allan Parke-Clerks, Messrs. Stones aud Cook. Third Puisne Judge-Sir James Burroughs-Clerks, Messrs. Watts and Rule. Chambers of the four Judges are in Sergeants'-Inn, Chancery Lane. The lord chief justice of this court enjoys a salary of 45001. per annum, and the three other judges 30001. each. Sergeants at law only can plead in this court; and the most eminent are sergeants Sheppard, Best, Vaughan, Lens, and Onslow. This court is held at Westminster and Guildhall. Court of Requests. In the 9th year of Henry VIII. the Court of Conscience, or Court of Requests, was erected, and has been confirmed and amended by various succeeding statutes. It takes cognizance of all debts under forty shillings. The course and practice is by summons; to which, if the party appear, the commissioners proceed summarily, examining the witnesses of both parties on oath, and, as they see cause, give judgment. If the party summoned do not appear, the commissioners have power to apprehend and commit him. The time and expense of obtaining summary redress in this court are very inconsiderable, which renders it of great service to trade. The lord mayor and court of aldermen appoint monthly such aldermen and commoners to sit as commissioners in this court as they think fit: and these, or any three of them, compose a court, kept in Guildhall every Wednesday and Saturday, from eleven till two o'clock, to hear and determine such causes as are brought before them. Besides the Court of Requests, held at Guildhall, for the city, there is one in Bedford Court, near Covent Garden; one in Fulwood's Rents, High Holborn; another in St. Margaret's Hill, Southwark; one in Whitechapel; and one in Castle Street, Leicester Square. The latter courts are generally managed by tradesmen of respectability. Court of Admiralty. THIS court is held in Doctors' Commons by the lords of the admiralty, and takes cognizance of all maritime affairs, whether civil or criminal. All crimes committed on the high seas, or on great rivers below the first bridge next the sea, |