Private Bill Procedure. By Cyril Dodd, Q.C., and H. W.
W. Wilberforce. (Eyre and Spottiswoode. 75. 6d.)—The authors of this little work have aimed at providing for the practitioner, within the limits of a book of moderate size, such information as is ordinarily required in the conduct of the business of private Bill legislation, and they try to furnish him with sufficient examples of the petitions, notices of objection to locus standi, and other forms ordinarily required to enable him to frame the documents which he needs for the particular Bill he may be engaged in promoting or opposing. They have succeeded in producing a handy volume which gives a convenient and clear summary of a vast and com- plicated subject. The greater part of the volume is taken up by the Standing Orders of the House of Commons and the House of Lords ; but, of the short introductory chapters, the one on locus standi contains a useful statement of the general principles which regulate the hearing of petitioners against private Bills before Parliamentary Committees. The book does not contain much that is not to be found in the last edition of the classic treatise of Sir Thomas Erskine May ; but within moderate limits, it gives a good general account of private Bill procedure, and may be recommended to those who want a clear and inexpensive book on the subject.
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