May 1654: An Ordinance for Relief of Debtors in Scotland in some Cases of Extremity.

May 1654

[26 May, 1654.]

Power to Commissioners for administration of justice in Scotland to relieve debtors in extremity.; Continuance of Ord.

For the better moderating the severitie of the proceedings which by the Laws of Scotland are had by Creditors against their Debtors, in several cases of great Extremitie, and to the end such Creditors may have satisfaction of what is or shall bee due unto them: Bee it Ordeined, and it is hereby Ordeined, by His Highness the Lord Protector, by and with the consent of his Council, That the Commissioners for Administration of Justice in Scotland for the time being, bee Authorized and impowerd to moderate Decrees to be by them given out against such Debitors as shall manifestly appear to them not to bee able to procure money for paying such Debt, by allowing som fit and convenient time or dayes for payment of the said Debt, with Interest for the same, until such time or dayes of payment, and at the expiration of such time appointed: in case the said Debts bee not satisfied, to appoint and set out Lands of such Debtors, for satisfaction of the Debt, at such values as the same were worth in the year, One thousand, six hundred, forty eight: and to decree the same to bee enjoyed by such Creditors, and their heirs, or otherwise according to such Decree, in satisfaction and discharge of such Debt, and all further proceedings against such Debitor or his estate for the same. This Ordinance to continue in force until the twelfth day of May, One thousand six hundred fiftie five.