LEGAL REFORM.

Evening Star, Issue 4124, 16 May 1876, Page 4

LEGAL REFORM.

Sir Alfred Stephen, late Chief Justice of New South Wales, and now a member of the Legislative Council of that Colony, has tabled the following motions :—(1.) That in the opinion of this House, legislation is urgently required for the adoption of the principles of equity in actions at law; for the more speedy disposal of such actions; and generally for the amendment of procedure and practice at law and in equity. (2.) That legislation is also desirable, at an early period, for the consolidation and amendment of jury laws ; the laws respecting procedure before justices ; and the laws affecting the constitution and jurisdiction of the Supreme Court. (3.) That, for the purpose of considering and reporting on the best means of carrying the foregoing resolutions into effect, his Excellency the Governor be respectfully requested to appoint a commission of competent persons, with instructions to prepare the necessary Bills for submission, at an early date, to the Legislature (4.) That legislation is also urgently required for the consolidation and amendment in sundry respects of the criminal law; that in those respects, not the United Kingdom only, but some of the Australian colonies, are far in advance of New South Wales; and that, in the opinion of this House, the Criminal Law Consolidation and Amendment Bill, which has been more than once before Parliament, or some Bill similar in its provisions, ought, at an early period, to be introduced and vigorously proceeded with.