Post by Tamrin on Mar 3, 2010 20:15:44 GMT 10
An Act for erecting a Judicature for Determination of Differences touching Houses burned or demolished in the late Fire which happened in London. (18-19 Chas II, 7).
I Whereas the greatest part of the houses in the City and some of the suburbs thereof have been burnt by the dreadful and dismal Fire, many of the tenants, undertenants or late occupiers whereof are liable unto suits and actions to compel them to repair and rebuild the same and to pay their rents as if the same had not been burned, and are not relievable therein in any course of law, and great differences are like to arise concerning the said repairs and new building and payment of rents, which, if they should not be determined with all speed and without charge, would much obstruct the rebuilding of the City. And for that it is just that everyone concerned should bear a proportionable share of the loss according to their several interests, since no general rule can be prescribed, be it therefore enacted that the Justice of the Courts of the Kings Bench and Common Pleas and the Barons of the Coife in the Exchequer or any three or more of them sitting at the same time and place are hereby authorised to hear and determine all differences and demands whatsoever which have arisen or may arise.
I Whereas the greatest part of the houses in the City and some of the suburbs thereof have been burnt by the dreadful and dismal Fire, many of the tenants, undertenants or late occupiers whereof are liable unto suits and actions to compel them to repair and rebuild the same and to pay their rents as if the same had not been burned, and are not relievable therein in any course of law, and great differences are like to arise concerning the said repairs and new building and payment of rents, which, if they should not be determined with all speed and without charge, would much obstruct the rebuilding of the City. And for that it is just that everyone concerned should bear a proportionable share of the loss according to their several interests, since no general rule can be prescribed, be it therefore enacted that the Justice of the Courts of the Kings Bench and Common Pleas and the Barons of the Coife in the Exchequer or any three or more of them sitting at the same time and place are hereby authorised to hear and determine all differences and demands whatsoever which have arisen or may arise.
XIV-XV And to the end that the said builders may receive due encouragement by having the materials for building at reasonable prices and getting of workmen for moderate wages, two judges of the Kings Bench may set the prices of bricks, tiles and mortar etc.
XVI That all carpenters, bricklayers, masons, plasterers, joiners and other artificers, workmen and labourers employed in the buildings who are not freemen of the City shall for the space of seven years (i.e. until 1674) or until all the said buildings shall be fully furnished, have the same liberty as Freemen of the City.
XVII Differences arising between builders or any others concerning the stopping up of lights, windows, watercourses, gutters etc may be heard by the Alderman of the ward.
XVI That all carpenters, bricklayers, masons, plasterers, joiners and other artificers, workmen and labourers employed in the buildings who are not freemen of the City shall for the space of seven years (i.e. until 1674) or until all the said buildings shall be fully furnished, have the same liberty as Freemen of the City.
XVII Differences arising between builders or any others concerning the stopping up of lights, windows, watercourses, gutters etc may be heard by the Alderman of the ward.