Sir Thomas Denman kissed hands on Tuesday as Lord Chief
Justice ; on Wednesday evening he was sworn at the house of Lord Brougham. He had previously undergone the ceremony of being created a Sergeant-at-Law, a rank in the profession which every gentle- man must obtain before he can be elevated to the Bench in the Court of Common Pleas. Sir Thomas was a Bencher of Lincoln's Inn ; and according to ancient custom when he became a Sergeant-at-Law he could no longer be considered member of Lincoln's Inn, and the Hall bell was rung accordingly to denote that he was rung out of the Society.
The Lord Chief Justice took the usual oaths and his seat on the bench on Thursday morning, at a few minutes after ten. The Court was crowded, and there was a very full attendance of the gentlemen of the bar. Sir James Scarlett, one of the oldest members of his profes- sion, did not enter the Court until after the ceremony of swearing was ended.
Sir James Scarlett, it is said, will retire from the practice of the King's Bench, and confine himself to the Exchequer.—Morning Herald.
The salary of the Chief Justice of the King's Bench is to be reduced from 10,000/. to 8,000/. a year ; a salary still ample for the maintenance of the dignity of the office, and more than sufficient, with the honour and influence that attach to it, to make it an object of ambition to those who receive the largest incomes at the bar.—Globe.
Sir Thomas Denman has appointed his son, Mr. Thomas Denman, Marshal and Associate of the Court of King's Bench. The situation of Associate was formerly filled by the Honourable Mr. Abbott, son of the late Lord Tenterden.—Moraing Herald.
It would appear that the legal appointments consequent on the ele- vation of Sir Thomas Denman are not yet completed. Sir William Home was yesterday still addressed by the Lord Chancellor as Mr. Solicitor; and it is reported that Government are divided on the pre- tensions of Sergeant Wilde, Mr. John Campbell,: and Mr. John Wil- liams, to fill the vacant office.—Morning Chronicle.
It is understood that at the end of the present term, his Honour the Master of the Rolls will retire from the duties of that Court, to which, it is said, he will be succeeded by the present Solicitor-General, Sir 'William Horne. It is also rumoured that, on his retirement, Sir John Leach will be elevated to the Peerage.-21forning Herald.
Previous page
