April 1654: An Ordinance for Adjourning part of Easter Term. 1654.

April, 1654

[8 April, 1654.]

Adjournment of part of Easter Term, 1654; Writs of adjournment.; Adjournment of suits.; Repeal of Ord. of 6 April inst.; Public proclamation of this Ordinance.

Whereas many abuses and corruptions are crept into the ordinary course and administration of Justice, both in Law and Equity, the Reformation whereof hath not yet been attained; Out of a tender care and desire that so necessary and good a work may at length be brought to effect. It is held convenient and necessary to Adjourne part of the next Term of Easter; Be it therefore Ordained by His Highness the Lord Protector, by and with the Consent of his Council. That part of the said Term of Easter now next coming be Adjourned That is to say, from and after the first Return called Quindena Paschae, unto the last Return of the said Easter Term called Crastino Ascensionis; And all and every person or persons, which have cause or commandment to appear in any of the Courts at Westminster in or at any day or time from and after the said Return, called Quindena Paschae, may tarry at their dwellings, or where their business shall ly, without resorting to any of the said Courts for that Cause, untill the said last Returne, called Crastino Ascensionis, without danger or forfeiture, penalty or contempt to be in that behalf. And be it also Ordained by the Authority aforesaid, That Writs of Adjournment shall be directed to the Justices of the said Courts, and Barons of Exchequer, giving them Authority to Adjourn the said part of the said Term of Easter, as aforesaid, that is to say, from and after the said Term, called Crastino Ascensionis, as before is said, and the said Adjournment shall be made, as aforesaid. And be it further Ordained, That all Matters, Causes, and Sutes, depending in any of the said Courts, shall have continuance, and the parties shall have day, from the day of the said Adjournment, until the said Return of Crastino Ascensionis, as is aforesaid; And the Lords Commissioners of the Great Seal are required to issue forth Writs accordingly. And be it further Ordained, That a former Ordinance of the sixth day of this instant April for the adjourning of part of the said Term, until the first Return of Trinity Term next, called Crastino Trinitatis, be from hence forth repealed and void. And it is lastly Ordained by the Authority aforesaid, That the Sheriffs of London and Middlesex, and all other Sheriffs both in England and Wales, do forthwith proclaim and publish this Ordinance in the Chief Market Towns and usual Places within their several and respective Counties.