LEGAL REFORMS.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17060, 3 February 1921, Page 8

LEGAL REFORMS.

(TBOM OTJH OWN COBBISFOMSKOT.) \ t LONDON, December Id. j. The Lord Chancellor (Lord BirJww head), who is writing a series of articles to "The Times" on "Legal Reforms," deals with the proposal for a Court of Imperial Appeal. "Wo know that some oolonial statesmen. —though not all —are anxious for the establianment of such a Court in London," he says. "In my judgment, the time is not yet ripe for the final m discussion and settlement of this question, but i» any discussion or any settlement 1 attach the . greatest importance to the preservation of the appellate jurisdiction of the House of .Lords as it now , is, and I entertain the greatest doubt* wliether the institution of any other*„ tribunal otherwise constituted would} give to litigantß, and particularly toj' litigants from Scotland and Ireland,J" the same mompt, efficient, and satis-} factory justice which they receivo at! present. I "Thero are, however, m&tten cob-: neeted with tno Judicial Committee at the Privy Council—the Imperial Court* of Appeal from his Majesty's 80-j minions beyond the seas—which call for alteration. I think that all ftfi» associated with that Court, whetheras Judges or as advocates, would wofca|a>. its installation in . buildings wmcj&g* < their material aspect, should *&§j£. I pond more nearly to tno vast ImpsMa'i j i issues which arc there decided. Bw*\ j happily, for the time being, morapfSWj-j . ing caiis upon the national purse p*»-| - vent the accomplishment of this i*»-' sire; but I must express the view ftp* i dignified surroundings are souMilkjag 3. more than a mere ostentation and a 2 mere convenience, and that the justina J of so great an Empire should be w*>fe shrined in a certain spaciousness." /%