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 The English Law Courts. called to the Bar of the Middle Temple in 1862, practiced on the Northern circuit, prosecuted Mrs. Maybrick ably, and in spite of the advocacy of Lord, then Sir Charles Russell, successfully. This case has, as every one knows, excited great controversy. It is clear that at the time when he tried the case, Sir James Fitzjames Stephen was in very indifferent mental health, and he cer tainly dwelt too strongly on the moral aspects of Mrs. Mayfa rick's conduct. Moreover, the ex perts for the prose cution were not clear as to the. cause of death being arsenical poisoning. It is not impossible that the inquiry may be re opened. Judge Ad dison has lately been appointed County Court judge of New castle on the death of Mr. Digby Sey mour, Q.C. MR. COMMISSIONER KERR.

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on appeals from his decisions, because of the extraordinary scantiness of his " notes." Probably however if the High Court judges had to try as many cases in a day as Mr. Commissioner Kerr, their notes too would be distinguished by the conspicuousness of absence. Recently Mr. Commissioner Kerr has been provided with a short-hand writer to take notes for him. He has now also se cured a deputy, Mr. Julian Robbins, to relieve his lists. He has a salary of over £3000 a year. Al though abrupt in manner and some what hot-tempered, he makes an excellent judge, and is an ex ceedingly kindhearted-man. When his long-talked-of retire ment takes effect, civic and legal life in England will be the poorer by his with drawal from it. HIS HONOR JUDGE CHALMERS.

Judge Chalmers was at one time a Mr. Commissioner HIS HONOR JUDGE HOLXOYD. stipendiary magis Kerr is the judge of trate in India. He the City of London Court, to which reference has been already subsequently practiced with success at the made. He is of West of Scotland extraction, English bar, and was at an unusually early and is a member of both the Scotch and the age raised to the County Court judgeship of Birmingham. He is one of the very ablest English Bars. He made one or two unsuc cessful efforts to get into Parliament, and was judges on the Bench. Moreover, he is a jurist ultimately raised to the Bench. City men as well as a judge. The Bills of Exchange and lawyers alike have a very high opinion Act, 1882, and the Sale of Goods Act, 1893, of Commissioner Kerr's administrative were drafted by him, and he is taking an powers. He is a sound and — naturally — active part in the work at the Society of an experienced lawyer, a prodigious worker, Comparative Legislation. American law and the very embodiment of common sense. yers are probably familiar with his contri He has on more than one occasion come into butions to the " Law Quarterly Review." conflict with the judge of the High Court, A year or two ago Judge Chalmers ex