A History of the County Court, 1846-1971 / Patrick Polden.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Polden, Patrick, author.

Series:

Cambridge studies in English legal history

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

County courts--Great Britain--History.

County courts.

History.

Great Britain.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (xxii, 403 pages) : digital, PDF file(s).

Place of Publication:

Cambridge : Cambridge University Press, 1999.

System Details:

text file

PDF

Summary:

This 1999 book was the first full-length account of the county court, which in contemporary English life has become the main forum for most civil disputes. It began as the 'poor man's court', largely concerned with the pursuit of working-class debtors; but, as this book shows, it has expanded far beyond its origins as an agency `for the more easy recovery of small debts' and now includes in its jurisdiction a diverse range of matters, including housing, accidents and consumer goods. Drawing on a wide range of sources, the author traces the history of the county court from its creation in 1846 through to the reconstruction of the court system in 1971. He describes its organisation and officers, from judges to bailiffs, and discusses the roles of judges, practising lawyers and lay persons. The text is an intriguing engagement with themes including access to justice.

Contents:

1. The making of the new county courts

2. An age of expansion, 1847-1870

3. An age of frustration, 1871-1914

4. War to war

5. 'Patching up the courts'

6. Central organisation and finances

7. Judges

8. Staff and buildings

App. 1. The Mayor's and City of London Courts

App. 2. County court towns, 1847-1971.

Notes:

Title from publisher's bibliographic system (viewed on 05 Oct 2015).

Other Format:

Print version:

ISBN:

9780511495434

Access Restriction:

Restricted for use by site license.