A History of the County Court, 1846}}}1971 [Paperback]

This 1999 book was the first full-length account of the county court, which has become the main forum for most civil disputes in contemporary England.The first full-length account of the establishment of the County Court in England and Wales in 1846 and its work, through to its reconstruction in 1971. It traces its development from being largely a debt collection agency to its far wider jurisdiction as the main forum for civil disputes today. Drawing on a wide range of sources, the author describes its organisation and officers and discusses the roles of lawyers and lay persons. Given the current controversy over access to justice, this is a timely new history.The first full-length account of the establishment of the County Court in England and Wales in 1846 and its work, through to its reconstruction in 1971. It traces its development from being largely a debt collection agency to its far wider jurisdiction as the main forum for civil disputes today. Drawing on a wide range of sources, the author describes its organisation and officers and discusses the roles of lawyers and lay persons. Given the current controversy over access to justice, this is a timely new history.The first full-length account of the establishment of the County Court in England and Wales in 1846 and its work, through to its reconstruction in 1971. It traces its development from being largely a debt collection agency to its far wider jurisdiction today as the main forum for civil disputes. Drawing on a wide range of sources, the author describes its organization and officers and discusses the roles of lawyers and lay persons. Given the current controversy over access to justice, this is a timely new history.1. The making of the county courts: the deficiencies of the courts, the origins of the new county courts; 2. An age of expansion, 184770: the new courts and the new judges; 3. An age of frustration: the turning point; 4. War to war; 5. County courts in austerity and affluence: patching up thl#‡