Y Cymmrodor. v. XIV. 1901.

28 Enplìsh Law in Wales and the Marches.
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in the course of years established its peculiar standard
of justice, so that there were in Wales four indepen-
dent jurisdictions, each containing three counties (one
circuit . including Chester) The Coui't could not enforce
its own decrees, and defendants frequently and easily
withdrew from the jurisdiction. When the two judges
differed there was no decision, and there was no aj>peal
except to the House of Lords, and by writ of error to
the King's Bench. Writs of certiorari were used for
purposes of delay, and the trial in the next English
county was a denial of justice to the poorer suitor. As
the Court was only open for three weeks twice in the
year it was not possible to conduct the necessary pro-
which was stated to have
ceedings in a suit of equity,
been " more dilatory and prolix" than in the High Court
of Chancery itself. The encouragement to the attor-
neys, who were easily admitted and were attached to
each circuit, the Committee consider to be "highly dis-
advantageous". The Committee state that the judges,
who hold office during the pleasure of the Crown, received
no pension, but a salary of £1,150 each (with the exception
of the Chief Justice of Chester and his puisne, who were
more highly paid), and they gave it as their opinion that
" minor difficulties might be removed by new regulations,
but no right administration of justice could be obtained
without such fundamental changes as would amount to a
new jurisdiction."
How the Court employed the six days which they were
obliged by the Act of Ordinances to spend in each assize
town may be gathered from the cvidence of Sir William
Garrow, a Baron of the Exchequer and formerly Chief
Justice of Chester (this last office was always considered a
stepping-stone to preferment in England). On Monday
the Court was opened, but no business was done ; Tuesday,