Preview
Identifier
KD 7309 .D3 1635
Creation Date
1635
Description
Dalton, Michael. The Countrey Justice, Containing the Practice of the Justices of the Peace Out of their Sessions: Gathered for the Better Helpe of Such Justices of Peace as Have Not Been Much Conversant in the Studie of the Lawes of This Realm. 6th ed. London: Printed for the Company of Stationers, 1635.
The Countrey Justice may have been the first work of its kind to adopt an alphabetical arrangement of topics. First appearing in 1618, Michael Dalton, (1564–1644) created the manual to aid justices with their duties out of sessions. For each subject, he provides a plain description of the law followed by advice on how to handle issues likely to come before the justices. Its utilitarian value contributed to its popularity and wide usage both in England and the colonies well into the middle of the eighteenth century. In a 1666 act requiring courts to purchase copies of law books, the General Assembly specifically named The Countrey Justice.
Rights
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