Modern Reports
Modern Reports, or, Select Cases Adjudged in the Courts of Kings Bench, Chancery, Common Pleas, and Exchequer: Since the Restoration of His Majesty King Charles II
by
| Modern Reports | |
 Title page from Modern Reports, volume one, George Wythe Collection, Wolf Law Library, College of William & Mary. | |
| Author | Great Britain |
| Published | In the Savoy: Printed by Eliz. Nutt and R. Gosling, (Assigns of Edward Sayer Esq;) for D. Browne ... [and 9 others] |
| Date | 1720-33 |
| Edition | Third |
| Language | English |
| Volumes | 6 volume set |
| Desc. | (32 cm.) |
Modern Reports is a title given to the twelve separately edited and published volumes of English common law following the close of the Year-Book period.[1] As a result, the works reflect both the trends of the earlier period and the more modern trends of the later period.[2]
The reports were compiled between 1669 and 1732 by various known and unknown authors.[3] As with other reports, their accuracy and authority vary greatly.[4] In fact, some volumes were so ill regarded that courts would outright reject any citation to them.[5] In the words of Lord Holt on use of the forth volume in court, “See the inconveniences of these scrambling reports; they will make us appear to posterity for a parcel of blockheads.”[6] Scholars have regarded other volumes as more accurate.[7] American scholar William Green claims, “I feel a gratitude to the unknown authors of them and consider that my success in life, which has been considerable, is owing in a great measure to them.”[8] Wallace 355. However, He goes on to explain that he does not regard all of the volumes equally.[9] “I am fond of examining the better volumes of Modern. The 3d, 4th, 5th, and 7th modern are but so so; 8th and 11th are execrable; but 1st, 2d, 6th, 9th, 10th, and 12th Modern deserve a place in the better class of the old Reporters, especially 2d, 6th, and 12th.” [10] Regardless of how these reports appear today, they represent a substantial improvement over the reports of the previous period.[11]
Evidence for Inclusion in Wythe's Library
Description of the Wolf Law Library's copy
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References
- ↑ John William Wallace, The Reporters (Boston: Soule and Bugbee, 1882) 347-48
- ↑ Percy H. Winfield, The Chief Sources of English Legal History (Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1925) 183-84
- ↑ W. S. Holdsworth, A History of English Law, Vol. VI (Boston: Little, Brown, and Company, 1924) 555
- ↑ Ibid.
- ↑ Percy H. Winfield, The Chief Sources of English Legal History (Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1925) 184
- ↑ Ibid.
- ↑ John William Wallace, The Reporters (Boston: Soule and Bugbee, 1882) 55
- ↑ Ibid.
- ↑ Ibid.
- ↑ Ibid.
- ↑ W. S. Holdsworth, A History of English Law, Vol. VI (Boston: Little, Brown, and Company, 1924) 559
