A History of the County Court, 1846-1971

by Patrick Polden

Overview

The first full-length account of the establishment of the County Court in England and Wales in 1846 and its work, through to its reconstruction in 1971. It traces its development from being largely a debt collection agency to its far wider jurisdiction today as the main forum for civil disputes. Drawing on a wide range of sources, the author describes its organization and officers and discusses the roles of lawyers and lay persons. Given the current controversy over access to justice, this is a timely new history.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521184090
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	01/26/2012
Series:	Cambridge Studies in English Legal History
Edition description:	Reissue
Pages:	426
Product dimensions:	5.51(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.94(d)

Table of Contents

1. The making of the county courts: the deficiencies of the courts, the origins of the new county courts; 2. An age of expansion, 1847–70: the new courts and the new judges; 3. An age of frustration: the turning point; 4. War to war; 5. County courts in austerity and affluence: patching up the courts; 6. Organisation and finance: central control and organisation; 7. The law of the county courts: statutes, orders and rules; 8. Judges: numbers and distribution; 9. Registrars: numbers and distribution, appointment; 10. Staff and buildings; Appendix.

Editorial Reviews

"Based on an exhaustive reading of the extant correspondence of the Lord Chancellor's Office, a broad sweep of parliamentary and offical publications, and the legal press...A History of the County offerd a wealth of information on the evolving structures of civil law in Britain, and it will become sn essential reference for students of law, society, and economy in Engalnd and Wales.' Jrnl of Modern History

From the Publisher