May 1644: Ordinance for Mr. Soliciter St. John to execute the Place of Attorney-General.

May 1644

[28 May, 1644.]

Upon the humble Petition of the Officers and Clerks belonging to the Courts of Common Law now sitting at Westm. That the Course and Proceedings of the Common Law are now greatly obstructed by the Absence of the Attorney General, who, by his Place, is to attend the said Courts, to do several necessary Acts in divers Causes now depending, or hereafter to be commenced, betwixt His Majesty and Private Persons; as namely, for granting his Warrant to the Cursitors, to make Writs of Errors, for several Outlawries in His Majesty's Court of King's Bench, for Persons outlawed for offences of a small Nature, being the ancient Course of that Court, as also for exhibiting Informations for Offences of several Natures; and likewise Informations of Quo Warranto; and for his Warrants for Nisi Prius and Tales, amongst divers other necessary Acts; which may be done as well by the Solicitor General as by the Attorney General, and lately have been done by His Majesty's Solicitor General, in the Absence or Vacancy of the Attorney-General: For Redress of the said Obstructions, it is this Day Declared and Ordained, by the Lords and Commons now assembled in Parliament, That Oliver St. John Esquire, His Majesty's now Solicitor General, be authorized and required, and is hereby authorized and required, to do and execute, from Time to Time, all and every the Matters and Things beforementioned, with such other necessary Acts belonging to the said Places of Attorney and Solicitor General, as may or shall be requisite for the Expedition of the Proceedings of the said several Courts at Law; and the said Oliver St. John is hereby enabled to take all Fees and Profits belonging to the said Place of Attorney General, during the Absence of the said Attorney; and this Ordinance to continue till both Houses of Parliament shall otherwise direct; and all Judges, Justices of either Bench, Barons of the Exchequer, Clerks, and other Officers, are hereby enjoined and required to yield Obedience to all Warrants and other Acts touching the Premises, as shall be issued forth from the said Solicitor General, in as full and ample Manner as if they had been issued forth by the Attorney-General.