Page:William Blackstone, Commentaries on the Laws of England (1st ed, 1768, vol III).djvu/41

Ch. 3. thouand eterces, or about 80l. of Englifh money. And, in order to encourage due freedom of peech in the lawful defence of their clients, and at the ame time to give a check to the uneemly licentiounes of protitute and illiberal men (a few of whom may ometimes ininuate themelves even into the mot honourable profeions) it hath been holden that a counel is not anwerable for any matter by him poken, relative to the caue in hand, and uggeted in his client's instructions; although it hould reflect upon the reputation of another, and even prove abolutely groundles: but if he mentions an untruth of his own invention, or even upon intructions if it be impertinent to the caue in hand, he is then liable to an action from the party injured. And counel guilty of deceit or colluion are punihable by the tatute Wetm. 1. 3 Edw. I. c. 28. with imprionment for a year and a day, and perpetual ilence in the courts: a punihment till ometimes inflicted for gros midemefnors in practice.

f Tac. ''ann. l''. 11. g Cro. Ja-c. 90. h Raym. 376.