Chapter I: Preface

The subject of the following digest is not, as may be hastily imagined, a matter of mere curiosity or antiquarian research. The officer of whom it treats exercises his function in many parts of the kingdom, in its fullest extent, at this day; though the attention requisite in certain branches of his duty may in some places, no doubt, have induced him to neglect them.

The want of such a compilation as the present must have been more or less felt by every one who has acted in the execution of this office; and indeed it ought to seem much more extraordinary (considering the multitude of similar publications on other subjects) that it should not have been attempted long ago, than that it appears at present.

Little can, and less need be said in favour of a work which has no obligations either to genius or to judgement: some labour, however, has undoubtedly been exerted in the compilation, which, should it have the good fortune to prove so far serviceable to those whom it most concerns, as to render the discharge of an ancient and honorable office an object of less difficulty or hazard, the 'compiler' will not have reason to regret.

CONTENTS.

Page

INTRODUCTION xi

BOOK I. Of a franchise or liberty 1

Chap. I. Of franchises in general 1

---- II. Of the liberty of _Retorna Brevium_, or return
of writs 3

BOOK II. Of the bailiff of a franchise or liberty 16

Chap. I. Of his quality 16

---- II. Of his creation or appointment, and interest
in his office 17

---- III. Of his qualification 18

---- IV. Of his power and capacity; i. e. what he may
or may not do or be 20

---- V. Of his duty, i. e. what he must or shall do
or not do 26

---- VI. Of his indemnity and protection 54

---- VII. Of his responsibility and punishment 59

---- VIII. Of his fees 68

---- IX. Pleadings 71

APPENDIX 76