Justice of the Common Pleas
Introduction The Court of Common Pleas in 1822'''Justice of the Common Pleas''' was a puisne judicial position within the Court of Common Pleas of England and Wales, under the Chief Justice. The Common Pleas was the primary court of common law within England and Wales, dealing with "common" pleas (civil matters between subject and subject). It was created out of the common law jurisdiction of the Exchequer of Pleas, with splits forming during the 1190s and the division becoming formal by the beginning of the 13th century. The court became a key part of the Westminster courts, along with the Exchequer of Pleas (qualified to hear cases involving revenue owed to the King) and the Court of King's Bench (authorised to hear cases involving the King), but with the Writ of Quominus and the Statute of Westminster, both tried to extend their jurisdiction into the realm of common pleas. As a result, the courts jockeyed for power. In 1828 Henry Brougham, a Member of Parliament, complained in Parliament that as long as there were three courts unevenness was inevitable, saying that "It is not in the power of the courts, even if all were monopolies and other restrictions done away, to distribute business equally, as long as suitors are left free to choose their own tribunal", and that there would always be a favourite court, which would therefore attract the best lawyers and judges and entrench its position. The outcome was the Supreme Court of Judicature Act 1873, under which all the central courts were made part of a single Supreme Court of Judicature. Eventually the government created a High Court of Justice under Lord Coleridge by an Order in Council of 16 December 1880.At this point, the Common Pleas formally ceased to exist.The number of Justices at any one time varied; between 1377 and 1420 there were generally four, switching to five from 1420 to 1471.From 1471 onwards, the number was fixed at 3.This changed in the 19th century; provisions were made for the appointment of a Fourth Justice and Fifth Justice in 1830 and 1868 respectively. From the start of the 14th century, Justices were appointed via letters patent made under the Great Seal, and held their appointments "under the pleasure of the King". Justices received the same remuneration as judges of the Exchequer of Pleas and Court of King's Bench; £1,000 in 1660, increased  to £2,000 in 1759 and £4,000 in 1809.From 1799, pensions were also awarded to retiring Justices.
List of Justices NameBorn/DiedActive serviceReason for terminationNotesd. c. 12171190 – 1206Became Chief Justice of the Common Pleasd. 12401224 – 1229Became Chief Justice of the Common Pleasd. 12501227 – 1236Became Chief Justice of the Common Pleasd. 12501229 – 1233Became Chief Justice of the Common Pleasd. 12451245Died in officed. 12601238 – 1241Went on a trip to Ireland and was made Chief Justice of the Common Pleas when he returnedd. 12601242 – 1249Became Chief Justice of the Common Pleasc. 1209 – 12741240–1260Became Chief Justice of the Common Pleasc. 1230 – c. 12801270 – 1274Became Chief Justice of the Common Pleasd. 12751271 – 1274Died between sessionsc. 1235 – 18 May 13111273 – 1274Became Chief Justice of the King's Benchd. 25 March 12741273 – 1274Died1273 – 1276Became a Baron of the Exchequerd. 12771274 – 1276Became Chancellor of the Exchequerc. 1230 – January 12981274 – 1278Became Chief Justice of the Common Pleasd. 12941275 – 1289Disgraced after failing to prevent Thomas Weyland from altering court documents1276 – 1289Removed for "extortion and other judicial crimes"1278 – 1289Removed and imprisoned in the Tower of London for "corruption in his office".d. 130714 October 1285 – 1307Diedd. January 129315 January 1290 – January 1293Diedd. 129115 January 1290 – 1291Died7 February 1292 – 1309Becomes Chief Justice of the Common Pleasd. 1311d. 13088 October 1297 – 24 August 1308Died1300 – 1316Became a justice of the King's Benchc. 1260 – November 132720 April 1306 – 28 September 1314Became a Baron of the Exchequer20 November 1308 – 15 June 1317  5 February 1327 – 28 October 1329Became Chief Justice of the King's Bench  Again appointed Chief Justice of the King's Benchd. 13236 October 1309 – 16 October 1320Retiredc. 1260 – May 132223 January 1313 – 1316Became Chief Justice of the King's Benchc. 1250 – c. 1323c. 1260 – 132110 March 1316 – 1321Diedc. 1258 – 132920 April 1316 – 1329Diedd. 1331c. 1270 – 13476 August 1320 – 29 January 1327Became Chief Justice of the Common Pleasc. 1281 – August 13546 August 1320 – 22 February 13291 April 1331 – 7 July 1335Became Chief Baron of the Exchequer Became Chief Justice of the Common Pleas9 July 1323 – 3 May 1324  31 January 1327 – 6 March 1327Became a Justice of the King's Bench  Became a Justice of the King's Benchd. 2 December 134027 September 1323 – 21 March 1324Became Chief Justice of the King's Benchc. 1268 – 7 September 13365 February 1327 – 28 October 1329Became Chief Justice of the King's Benchc. 1290 – 14 March 13626 March 1328 – 22 December 1330  9 October 1340 – November 1341  20 November 1343 – 1357Became a Justice of the King's Bench Arrested for corruption  Retired2 March 1329 – April 1331Became Chief Justice of the King's Benchd. 133630 December 1329 – 28 January 1332Became a Justice of the King's Benchd. 133218 January 1331 – October 1331Retiredd. 133518 January 1331 – October 1334Retiredd. 5 March 134429 January 1332 – October 134016 May 1342 – 5 March 1344  Died29 January 1332 – October 134016 May 1342 – 5 March 1344  Died1289/90 — 137030 May 1333 – 20 March 133414 May 1334 – 1340 1346 – 1350 Became a Justice of the King's BenchRemoved by Edward IIIBecame Chief Justice of the King's Bench24 September 1334 – 1334Died1337 – 28 October 1341Diedd. 135618 March 1337 – 8 January 1341 4 June 1432 – 20 February 1354Became Chief Justice of the Common Pleas in IrelandBecame Chief Justice of the Common Pleasd.1352/618 March 1337 – 2 May 1339Became a Justice of the King's Benchd. 13414 February 1340 – 3 January 1341Died23 May 1340 – 24 June 1340Became Chief Justice of the King's Bench30 May 1341 – 1354Retired28 October 1341 – 10 January 1342Became a Justice of the King's Benchd. 135914 January 1348 – 30 March 1354Retiredd. 13696 February 1354 – 1361Became Chief Justice of the King's Benchd. 6 May 13601355 – 6 May 1360Diedc. 1320 – c. 139825 October 1359 – 25 June 13618 October 1376 – 1388Became Chief Baron of the ExchequerRetiredd. 138124 June 1361 – 29 October 1365Became Chief Justice of the King's Benchd. 137429 October 1365 – 14 April 1371Became Chief Justice of the Common Pleasd. 7 December 138327 November 1371 – 15 July 1372Became Chief Justice of the King's Benchd. 13836 December 1380 – 1383Diedd. 141811 April 1388 – 15 January 1396Became Chief Justice of the Common Pleasd. 140720 May 1389 – 1407Diedd. 27 July 141220 May 1389 – 10 May 1398Retiredd. 31 December 14097 July 1396 – 1408Diedc. 1350 – 12 December 14236 May 1398 – 29 March 1413Became Chief Justice of the King's Benchd. 20 May 14066 May 1398 – 20 May 1406Diedd. 142914 May 1405 – 1429Diedd. 30 August 141417 June 1406 – 30 August 1414Diedd. 1425d. 20 December 14202 May 1413 – 26 June 1413Became Chief Justice of the Common Pleasd. 9 January 142016 June 1415 – 9 January 1420Diedd. 29 September 143416 June 1415 – 28 January 1428Retiredc. 1370 – 13 October 145430 June 1420 – 5 May 1423Became Chief Justice of the Common Pleasd. 24 October 143613 October 1420 – 24 October 1436Diedd. 24 March 14405 May 1423 – 9 February 1436Became Chief Justice of the Common Pleas5 May 1423 – 23 January 1424Became a Justice of the King's Benchc. 1410 – August 14806 February 1426 – 16 March 1443Diedd. 29 October 143915 October 1429 – 20 January 1439Became Chief Justice of the Common Pleasd. 14 August 144415 October 1429 – 14 August 1444Diedd. 13 December 14488 November 1438 – 17 September 1439Became Chief Justice of the Common Pleasd. 3 May 145729 January 1439 – 3 May 1457Diedd. 30 July 145417 April 1440 – 30 July 1454Diedd. 2 June 14541 July 1443 – 2 June 1454Diedd. 12 March 14669 October 1444 – 12 March 1466Diedd. 2 June 14677 June 1448 – 2 June 1467Diedd. 17 April 146714 August 1450 – 17 April 1467Diedd. 147428 June 1453 – 11 May 1461Became Chief Justice of the Common Pleasc. 1405 – 11 December 14799 July 1454 – 11 December 1479Died9 May 1457 – 17 June 1471Became a Justice of the King's Benchd. 5 July 14835 September 1461 – 5 July 1483Diedd. 23 August 148127 April 1466 – 23 August 1481Diedc. 1405 – 3/4 May 14774 November 1467 – 29 April 1475Became a Justice of the King's Benchd. 15 June 148617 June 1471 – 15 June 1486Diedd. 23 January 148720 November 1481 – 23 January 1487Diedd. 27 August 148627 June 1483 – 27 August 1486Diedc. 1430 – 9 November 149320 September 1485 – 9 November 1493Diedd. 14 March 148910 December 1486 – 14 March 1489Diedd. 29 July 148731 January 1487 – 29 July 1487Diedd. 17 April 15045 February 1488 – 17 April 1504Diedd. 26 November 150617 October 1489 – 16 October 1506Retired11 February 1494 – 24 November 1495Became Chief Justice of the King's Benchd. 31 August 150224 November 1495 – 28 October 1500Became Chief Justice of the Common Pleasd. 1 May 15103 November 1501 – 1 May 1510Diedd. 11 May 15092 July 1504 – 11 May 1509Diedd. 15 December 151726 April 1508 – 15 December 1517Diedd. 9 March 151321 May 1509 – 9 March 1513Died — 11 May 151426 June 1510 – 11 May 1514Diedd. 20 May 152226 April 1513 – 20 May 1522Diedd. 21 October 152629 May 1514 – 21 October 1526Diedc. 1451 – 5 November 153023 January 1518 – 23 April 1520Became a Justice of the King's Benchd. May 152929 April 1520 – 24 January 1526Became Chief Baron of the Exchequerc.1470 – 27 May 153820 May 1522 – 27 May 1538Diedd. 28 September 153712 November 1526 – 28 September 1537Died1478/9 — 4 January 154917 November 1526 – 4 January 1549Diedd. 29 September 15459 October 1537 – 29 September 1545Diedd. 20 November 154230 June 1538 – 20 November 1542Diedd. 5 December 156220 November 1542 – 5 December 1562Diedc.1480 – 17 October 155024 November 1545 – 17 October 1550Diedc.1500 – 4 August 155420 May 1549 – 4 August 1554Diedd. 28 August 155222 October 1550 – 28 August 1552Diedd. 24 August 155316 November 1552 – 24 August 1553Died4 April 1506 – 12 November 15764 October 1553 – 8 May 1557Became Chief Justice of the Queen's Bench20 August 1509 – 28 August 15581554 – 28 August 1558Died1510 – 24 March 15828 May 1557 – 22 January 1559Became Chief Justice of the Common Pleasc.1510 – 16 September 157427 October 1558 – 22 January 1559Became Chief Justice of the Queen's Bench1509/10 — 5 May 156722 January 1559 – 5 May 1567Diedd. 6 July 157216 October 1559 – 6 July 1572Died, of Cathanger, Fivehead, Somersetd. 12 February 157210 February 1563 – 12 February 1572Diedd. 29 January 157716 May 1567 – 29 January 1577Died1524/5 — 14 December 159214 October 1572 – 17 November 1578Became Chief Baron of the Exchequerc. 1525 – 24 September 158331 October 1572 – 25 March 1580Retiredd. 26 May 15851 December 1577 – 26 May 1585Diedd. 18 June 159221 June 1579 – 18 June 1592Died1534 – 9 October 160413 February 1581 – 7 February 1593Became Chief Baron of the Exchequer1524/5 — 17 January 158919 June 1585 – 17 January 1589Diedd. 26 November 161210 May 1589 – 26 November 1612Diedd. 22 April 159825 January 1593 – 22 April 1598Diedd. 21 December 159821 January 1594 – 21 December 1598Died1542 – 27 July 160030 June 1598 – 27 July 1600Diedd. 20 March 16068 February 1599 – 29 September 1605Retiredc. 1540 – 7 September 162124 November 1600 – 7 September 1621Retiredd. 19 May 16103 February 1604 – 19 May 1610Died1547 – 12 December 160613 January 1606 – 12 December 1606Died10 August 1548 – 18 May 161224 November 1607 – 18 May 1612Died1554/5 — 4 February 16257 November 1611 – 4 February 1625DiedApril 1559 – 3 August 161626 November 1612 – 3 August 1616Diedd. 26 February 16393 May 1617 – 26 February 1639Died1566 – 6 December 164025 September 1621 – 17 October 1624Became a Justice of the King's Benchc. 1568 – 2 August 163218 October 1624 – 2 August 1632Diedd. 27 September 162520 October 1624 – 27 September 1625Diedc. 1560 – 16 February 164211 February 1625 – 9 October 1628Became a Justice of the King's Bench29 June 1566 – 24 January 163010 May 1625 – 24 January 1630Diedc. 1566 – March 16452 February 1630 – 10 January 1631Became Chief Baron of the Exchequerc. 1578 – 16 December 16398 May 1631 – 16 December 1639Died1574/5 — 13 February 165011 October 1632 – 24 November 1645Appointed by the king, Crawley was disabled by Parliamentc. 1589 – 27 March 164724 March 1639 – 27 March 1647Died1589 – 27 March 164727 January 1640 – 24 November 164531 May 1660 – 21 October 1660Appointed by the king, Foster was disabled by Parliament  Following the English Restoration, Foster was restored to the court before becoming Chief Justice of the King's Bench1584 – 1 October 16497 October 1645 – 1 October 1649Diedd. 3 August 16481 May 1647 – 3 August 1648Diedd. 165218 October 1648 – 8 February 1649Retired1591/2 — 24 March 166122 November 1648 – 8 February 1649Retiredc. 1583 – 5 September 165912 June 1649 – 1654Retired27 March 1588 – 28 February 166612 June 1649 – 1654Retired1587 – 9 October 166923 October 1649 – January 1660Retired1 November 1609 – 25 December 167631 January 1653 – May 1659Retired1602/3 — 27 July 168430 May 1654 – May 1661 22 January 1673 – 27 July 1684Not reappointedDied1598 – 8 February 168211 February 1659 – May 1661 4 November 1663 – 8 February 1682Not reappointedDied1595/6 — 1 May 166531 May 1660 – 19 October 1663Became Chief Justice of the King's Bench1593/4 — 8 March 16727 July 1660 – 8 March 1672Diedc. 1598 – 11 April 16683 November 1660 – 11 April 1668Diedc. 1611 – 11 April 166816 April 1668 – 21 January 1673Became a Justice of the King's Benchd. 18 February 171025 April 1672 – 17 April 1689Became Chief Baron of the ExchequerJuly 1609 – 3 December 168018 December 1672 – 4 July 167630 April 1679 – 3 December 1680RemovedDiedc. 1623 – 24 January 169523 October 1676 – 31 May 1678Became Chief Justice of the King's Benchc. 1638 – 23 February 168115 June 1678 – 29 April 1679Removed1626/7 — 14 July 16837 February 1680 – 24 April 1680Became a Justice of the King's Benchc. 1614 – 27 May 169726 April 1680 – 20 April 1686Removed1627 – 29 January 170112 February 1681 – 9 February 1686Removedd. 8 March 169629 October 1684 – 1689Not reappointed on the accession of William III and Mary II1632 – 6 February 168710 February 1686 – 21 April 1686Became Chief Justice of the Common Pleas6 September 1634 – 11 June 170921 April 1686 – 1689Not reappointed on the accession of William III and Mary II1632/3 — 7 September 169624 April 1686 – 13 April 1687 18 March 1689 – 7 September 1696Became a Justice of the King's BenchDied1615 – March 169314 April 1687 – 6 July 1688Removed1638 – 31 December 17066 July 1688 – 1689Not reappointed on the accession of William III and Mary II1 March 1625 – 28 May 169618 April 1689 – 8 May 1689Became a Justice of the King's Benchc. 1631 – 26 November 16998 May 1689 – 25 October 1695Became a Justice of the King's BenchNovember 1645 – 6 April 16919 May 1689 – 6 April 1691Diedd. 7 August 170530 October 1691 – 7 August 1705Died26 May 1645 – 14 June 171326 October 1695 – 23 June 1702Became a Justice of the King's Bench30 November 1642 – 8 May 172624 November 1697 – 22 June 1722Retired1655 – 11 September 173523 June 1702 – 26 October 1726Retiredd. 18 September 172611 February 1706 – 18 September 1726Diedd. 22 March 174025 June 1722 – 22 March 1740Died14 January 1655 – 2 February 173320 October 1726 – 2 February 1733Died1660/1 — 19 December 17414 November 1726 – 27 September 1727Became a Justice of the King's Bench23 February 1670 – 10 December 172824 October 1727 – 10 December 1728Died7 March 1670 – 19 December 174623 January 1729 – 25 June 1746Resigned1672/3 — 19 January 173715 April 1733 – 26 January 1736Became Chief Justice of the Common Pleasc. 1667 – 13 November 17405 February 1736 – 7 July 1738Became Chief Baron of the Exchequerd. 16 December 17497 July 1738 – 5 November 1741Became Master of the Rollsd. 29 December 178421 April 1740 – 29 November 1742Became Chief Baron of the Exchequer19 February 1694 – 7 January 17535 November 1741 – 7 January 1753Died1690/1 — 7 January 175310 February 1743 – 19 May 1750Diedd. 12 March 175724 June 1746 – 12 March 1757Diedd. 30 March 175423 June 1750 – 30 March 1754Died1704 – 18 April 177129 January 1753 – 13 February 1770Retired20 May 1714 – 6 August 17942 May 1754 – 23 January 1771Became Lord Chancellor19 March 1695 – 8 December 17623 May 1757 – 8 December 1762Died1710 – 5 March 179415 December 1762 – 5 March 1794Died1722 – 7 June 177016 February 1770 – 7 June 1770Died10 July 1723 – 14 February 178025 June 1770 – 14 February 1780Died1716 – 20 July 178626 January 1771 – 20 July 1786Died1736 – 16 January 18167 July 1780 – 16 January 1816Died6 August 1741 – 18 October 17936 November 1786 – 18 October 1793Died3 June 1743 – 7 March 18087 November 1793 – 7 March 1808Died1751 – 8 July 18147 March 1794 – 18 June 179431 March 1808 – 28 May 1812Became a Justice of the King's BenchRetired17 March 1746 – 4 June 180018 June 1794 – 4 June 1800Died4 October 1739 – 20 September 182311 June 1800 – 11 January 1816Retired27 October 1751 – 8 February 182029 May 1812 – 6 November 1813Became Chief Baron of the Exchequer16 October 1756 – 25 December 182418 November 1813 – 4 November 1818Became Chief Justice of the Common Pleas6 April 1763 – 8 December 183823 January 1816 – 8 December 1838Died7 October 1762 – 4 November 183212 February 1816 – 2 May 1816Became a Justice of the King's BenchAugust 1749 – 25 March 18374 May 1816 – 16 January 1830Retired3 March 1771 – 19 March 184130 November 1818 – 18 June 1824Retiredd. 26 March 18395 July 1824 – 22 February 1837Retired2 May 1773 – 25 September 18471 February 1830 – 16 January 1842Retiredd. 27 January 18571 November 1830 – 29 April 1834Became a Baron of the Exchequer11 February 1769 – 25 September 183929 April 1834 – 25 September 1839Diedd. 11 July 184923 February 1837 – 11 July 1849Died12 March 1788 – 9 November 18649 January 1839 – 4 November 1844Retired25 April 1788 – 16 January 185811 November 1839 – 3 July 1855Retired20 August 1793 – 29 July 186326 January 1842 – 11 January 1858Became a judge of the newly created Court for Divorce and Matrimonial Causes1 October 1793 – 28 January 18806 November 1844 – 27 October 1846Became a justice of the Queen's Bench1797 – 2 November 187527 October 1846 – 7 February 1865Retired26 May 1795 – 13 March 185428 July 1849 – 13 March 1854Died17 May 1796  — 5 December 185924 March 1854 – 5 December 1859Died13 February 1814 – 2 October 18723 July 1855 – 2 October 1872Died11 January 1801 – 3 February 18849 January 1858 – 23 January 1873Retired13 January 1804 – 1 October 188814 December 1859 – 5 February 1875Retired25 December 1806 – 3 May 18917 February 1865 – 3 November 1871Became a member of the Privy Council13 August 1815 – 5 December 185924 August 1868 – 1 November 1875Became a judge of the High Court of Justice (Common Pleas Division)21 June 1817 – 27 October 18867 November 1871 – 22 November 1871Became a member of the Privy Council11 July 1811 – 1 August 189630 November 1871 – 1 November 1875Became a judge of the High Court of Justice (Common Pleas Division)23 December 1819 – 21 December 189617 October 1872 – 1 November 1875Became a judge of the High Court of Justice (Common Pleas Division)22 January 1819 – 16 September 187523 January 1873 – 18 February 1875Retired1817 – 18 October 18766 February 1875 – 1 November 1875Became a judge of the High Court of Justice (Common Pleas Division)8 September 1815 – 5 December 189022 February 1875 – 12 May 1875Became a Baron of the Exchequer29 November 1828 – 9 December 192112 May 1875 – 1 November 1875Became a judge of the High Court of Justice (Common Pleas Division)
References
Bibliography *****