Modern Reports, or, Select Cases Adjudged in the Courts of Kings Bench, Chancery, Common Pleas, and Exchequer
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
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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]
Bibliographic Information
Publication Info: In the Savoy: Printed by Eliz. Nutt and R. Gosling, (Assigns of Edward Sayer Esq;) for D. Browne ... [and 9 others], 1720-1733.
Edition: 3rd ed.
Evidence for Inclusion in Wythe's Library
Description of the Wolf Law Library's copy
View this book in William & Mary's online catalog.
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
