Supreme Court Act 1878 (SA)

ANNO QUADRAGESIMO PRIM0 ET QUA1)RAGESIMO

SECUNDO

No. 116.

AI, Act fo make p~ovisio~i, fbr the better Administration of Justice in

the Supreme Court of Soutlh Australia.

[A ssentcd tcl, 30th November, 1878.1

HEREAS it is expedient to provide for the better Adminis- Prcallble.

W tratiou of Justice in the Supreme Court of South Australia,	and for rendering ' ~ e process, practice, and mode of pleading
therein more simple and speedy-Be it therefore Enacted by the Qover~lor of the Province of South Australia, by and with the advice and cmsent of the Legislative Couricil and lIorlse of Assembly of the said Province, in this present Parliament assembled, as follows:

1. This Act shall be divided into six parts, as follows-

PART I. Sections 2 to 4-Introductory : Provisions of ~ c t.

PART 11. Sections 5 and 6-Administration of Law and Equity:

PART 111. Sections 7 to 16-Sittings and Distribution of Busi-

ness:

PART IV. Sections 17 to 23-Trial and Procedure:

PART v. Sections 29 to 34-Rules of Court and Councils of

Judges:

PART YI. Sections 35 ts 39-Officers, Interpretation, and Miscel-

laneous.

I I~-A PART

-

2 41" & 4P 'VICTORIB, No, 116.

i 8uprme Cmrt Act,-1 878.

PART S. PABZ' I.

& , INTRODUCTORY,

short title, 2. This Act may be cited for all purposes, as the "Supreme

Court Act, 1878.''

commencement of 3. This Act, except any provision thereof which is declared to

Act,

take effect on the passing of this Act, shall commence and come into operation on the 31st day of March, 1879, or so soon as the rules to be made as hereinafter provided shall first become valid, whichever

shall first happen.

jurisdiction and

Rules as to exercise of

4, From and after the commencement of this Act the several exercised by the Supreme Court of the said province, or by any Judge thereof, and whether original or appellate, and whether statutory or otherwise, shall, so far as i-egards procedure and practice, be exercised by the said Clblnrt and by every Judge thereof, in the manner provided by this Act or Fy Rules of Court, and not otherwise, and whcre no special provision is contained in this Act or such Rules of Court with reference or applicable thereto such jurisdiction or jurisdictions shall bc exercised by the said Court or

provieion for pending

jurisdictions which were heretofore vested in or capable af being

businese.

Jud. Act., aec. 22

Judge in such other manner, as r e g d s snch procedure and practice,

(altered),

as the said Court or any Judge of the said Court shall in each case direct: Provided that in all causes, matters, and proceedings whatso- ever which shall have been fully heard, and in which jndgment; shall not have been given, or having been given, shall not have been signed, drawn up, passed, entered, or otherwise perfected at the time ap- pointed for the commcncemcnt of this Act, such judgment, decree, rule, or order maybe given cr made, signed, drawn up, passed, entered, or perfected respectively, after the commencement of this Act, in the name of the same branch of the jurisdiction of the said Ccurt, and by the same Judges or Judge, and officers, and gcnclrally in the same manner in all respects as if this Act hacl not been passed, and the same shall take effect to all intents and purposes as if the

same had bccn dn'ly perfected before the commencement of this Act. and evesy judgment, decree? rule, or order of the said Court,

or of any Judge thereof, which shall have been duly pcrfeetcd at any time before the cornmencenlent of this Act, may be executed and enforced, and, if necessary, amended or discharged by thc said Court, in the same manner as if it had been a judgment, decree, rule, or order of the said Court or Judge, made after the comimence- ment of this Act and a11 causes, m&ters, and procerdinos what- &, soever, which shall be pending in the said Court, or before any Judge thereof, at the contmenccmnt of this Act, shall be con- tinued and coocluded in the same inanncr and by the same form af procedure m they would have been continued and c-9ncltxded had

this Act not been passed, or according to the ordinary course pro-

vided by this Act, (so far as the same may be applicable thereto) as

the said Court msy think fit to direct.

PART

41' & 42O VICTORIB, No. 116. 3

8up~erne Court Act-1 878.

PAR'I' 11. PART 11.

AUMINISTRATlON OF LATIT ANT> EQUITY.

5. I n every civil cause or matter hereafter commenced in the Law and equity to be

said Supreme Court, law and equity, shall be administered by the ~ ~, " ~ ~ ~ ! y a d -

said Court according to the rules following-

I. If any plaintiff or petitioner claims to be entitled to any Equitable relief

equitable estate or right, or to relief upon any equitable ~ ~ ~ $ ~ P, " ~ ~	ground against any deed, iustrunzent, or contract, or against cases.
any right, title, or claim whatsoever, asserted by any ciefen- dant or respondent in such cause or matter, or to any relief
founded upon a legal right which heretofore could only have bccn @ven by the Supre~nc Court in its cquitable jurisdic- Jud. Act, sec. 24.
tion, the said Court and every Judge thereof shall give to such plaintiff or petitioner such and the same reliet as onght to have been given by such Court in its equitable jurisdiction in a suit or proceeding for the samc ar a like purpose, properly instituted before the passing of this Act:

IT. If any defendant claims to be entitled to any equitable estate Equitable relief to be

or right, m to relief up011 any cquitable ground agahst any gYCn 'O

deed,instrumcnt, or contract, or against any right, title,or claim assc~rted bv anv nlnintift' or 1)etitloner ir i sucli l ause or matter, d Y L A

or allrg:s any grou~ld of equitable defence Lo any claim of the plalntiff'or petitioner in such cause or matter, the said Court and e17cry Judge thereof shall give to every equitable estate, right, or ground of' relief so claimed; and to every equitable defence so alleged, such and the snmc effect by way of defence against the claim of such plaintiff or petitioner as the said CO& in its cqnitablc jurisdiction ought to have given if the same or the like mattcr.; had been relied on by way of defence in any suit or proceeding, instituted in that Court, for the samc or tllc like purpose, before the passing of this Act:

The said Court, and every Judge thereof, shall also have Pomr to grant de-

power to grant to any defendant, in respect of any equitable fendant might heretofore such relief have as

estate, or right, or other matter of equity, and also in been obtained bycross resnect of anv legal estate, right, or title claimed or asserted L d C, ( U '

by him, all such relief against any plaintiff or petitioner

as such defendant shall have properly claimed by his

pleading, and as the said Court or any Judge thereof might have granted in m y suit instituted for that purpose by the same defendant against the same plaintiff or petitioner; and also all such relief relating to or connected with the original subject of the cause or matter, and in like manner claimcd against any other person, whether already a party to the Other peramamay b .

same cause or matter or not, who shall have been duly served made parti-	to ruit.
with notice in writing of such claim, pursuant to any Wules of Court, as might properly have been granted against such person if he had been made a defendant to a cause duly

instituted

be degmed a pbrty to such ' O B U B ~ OX matter with the same rights in respect of his defence against such claim, as if he had been duly sued in the ordinary way by such defendant:

Court to recognise

CquitabIe wtates and	IT. The said Court, and every Judge thereof, shall recognise and take notice of all equitabh (>states, titles, and xights, and all equitable duties and liabilities appearing incidentally in the course of any cause or matter pending before it, in the same manner in which the said Court in its equitable jurisdiction would have recognised and taken notice of the same in any auit or proceeding duly instituted therein, before the passing of this Act :
1igh2sr.
No in'unution or	v. No cause or proceeding at any time pending in the said fburt shall be restrained by prohibition or injunction, but every matter gf equity on which an u;iconditional injunction against the prosecution of any such cause or proceeding might ham been obtained if this Act had not passed, may be relied on by way of defence thereto:

pm~ii t ion	to mtr&
proceedings.

But stay of proceed*

Inga may be ordered	The said Court or any Judge thereof may direct a stay of pro-
in a summary way.	ceedings in any cause or matter pending before it if it or he shall think fit, and any person whether a party or not to any such cause or matter, who would have been entitled if this Act had not passed, to apply to the said Court in any of its jurisdictions to restrain the prosecution thereof, or who may be entitled to enforce, by attachment or otherwise, any judgment, decree, rulc, or order, contrary to which all or any part of the proceedings in such cause or matter may have been taken, shall be at liberty to apply to the said Court. or a Judge. by motion, in a summary way, for a stay of proceedings in such cause or matter, either generally or so far as may be necessary for the purposes of justice, and the Court or Judge shall thereupon make such
order as shall be just:

All%@ olhims to be	VII.	Subject to the aforesaid provisions for giving effect to. uitable
recognised subject to
equities.	rights and other matters of equity in manner aforesaid, and to the other express provisions of this Act, the said Court and every Judge thereof, shall recognise and give effect to all legal clainis and demands, and all estates, titles, rights, duties, obligations, and liabilities, existing by the common law, or by any custom, or created by any Statute, in the same manner as the same would have been recognised and given effect to, if this Act had not passed, by the said Court in any branch of its jurisdiction:

00" to do w ~ l e b

justiw in me88 ao ae VIII. The said Court and every Judge thereof in every cause or

t6 BOO^^ multiplioi ty matter pending before tlkern respectively shall have power to

oz nit.^, grant, and shall grant, either absolutely or on such rea- gamble terrna and conditions as to them shall seem just,

all

41' & 420 VICTORIlE, Na. 116. * Q

@ u p m e Court Act.-1 878.

all such remedies whatsoever as any of the partie8 thereto	-	PART I T V
may appear to be entitled to in r6spect of by and every legal or equitable claim properly brought forward by them res~ectivelv. in such cause or matter. so that, as far as
di 'matters so in controversy between the-said parties respectively may be completely and finally determined, and all multiplicity of legal proceedings concerning any of such matters avoided.

6. And whereas it is expedient to amend and declare the l a ~ 'be hereafter administered in this province as to the matters next Jud to Rule8 oflaw upon certain points.

Iw, 15-

hereinafter mentioned. Be it ellacted as follows--

I. In the administration by the court of the assets of any person Administration of

vho may die after the commencement ofthis Act, and whose EstPtoa aseots of Insolvent

in insol-

estate may prove to be insufficient for the payment in full of vency.

his debts and liabilities, and in the windiug up of any Corn-

pany under the Companies Act: 1864, whose assets may

prove to be insufficient for the payment of its debts and

liabilities and the cost of winding up, the same rules shall

prevail and be observed as to the r6spective rights of secured

and unsecured creditors, and as to debts and liabilities prole-

able, and as to the valuation of annuities aqd future or

contingent liabilit'es respcctively, as may be in force for the

time being undcr the law of insolvency, with respect to the

estates of persons adjudged insolvent, and all persons who'

in any such case would be entitled to prove for and receive

dividends out of the estate of any such deceased person, or

out of the assets of any such Company, may come in under

the decree or order for the administration of' such estate, or

under the winding up of any such Company, and iwtke such

claims against the same as they may respectively be entitled

to by virtue of this Act :

rr. No claim of a cestui que trust against his trustee fur any S~atu~esofLimitatiun

property held 011 trust, or in respect of any breach of trust, ,,,,,, inapplioableto express

shall be held to be barred by any Statute of Limitatims:

111, An estate for life, without impeachment of waste, shall nut Te~ta*it forlife,

confer, or be deemed to have confwrcd, upon the tenant for ~ ~ ~ ~; ~ ~; $ e ~ ~ h m e n t

"life any legal right to commit waste of the description known commit equitable

as equitable waste, unless an intention to confer such right

shall expressly appear by the instrument creating such

estate:

m. There shall not, after the conknencement of this Act, he any N,, . , , , ,l,

merger by operation of law only of any estate or charge, the ~ h o l c	none in equity+
beneficial interest in which would r,ot be deemcd to be

merged or extinguished in equity: .

v. A mortgagor entitled for the time being to the possession or ~ u i t s ~ o r poaseasit,n of

receipt of the rents and profits of any land, as to which no land b m0r@gy8a

notice of his intention to take possession or to enter upon the

receipc of the rents and profits thereof s h d have been given

by

pomession, or for the

As,dgnment of debte	y ~,	Any absolute assignment by writing under the hand of
and choees in action.	the assignor (not purporting to be by way of charge
only) of any chose in action, of which express notice in writing shall have been given to the debtor, trustee, or other person from whom the assignor would have been entitled to receive or claim such chose in action, shall
be, and be deemed to have been, efE'ectua1 in law (subject to a11
equities which would have been entitled to priority aver the right of the assignee if this Act had not passed), to pass and transfer the legal rights ,af such chose in action from thk date of such notice, and all legal and 0 t h remedies for the same, and the power to give a g o o discharge for the
Debtor may interpload	same, without the concurrence of the assignor: Provided
or pay money into	always, that if the debtor, trustee, or other person liable In
Court.	respect of such chose in action shall have had notice that such assignment is disputed by thc assignor, or any one claiming under him, or of any other opposing or conflicting claims, to such chose in action, he shall be entitled, if he think fit, to call upon the several persons making claim thereto to interplead concerning the same, or hc may, if he think fit, pay the same into the said Court, under and in con- formity with the provisions of the Acts for the relief of trustees:

W~dationenotof the

essence of contracte VIT, Stipulations in contracts, as to time or otherwise, which woulcl

t o be conetrued aa in not before the commencement of this Act have been deemed

equity. to be or to have become of the essence of such contracts in a Court of Equity, shall receive in all Courts the same con-

struction and effect as they would have heretofore received

in equity:

Court ma make	v m.	I n all cases in which it shall appear to thc ~our t ' t o	be just or
ordera to Zave effect

OE m~~aeaunr or clmvenient, the Clourt may makc an iilterlocutorv order or

injunction, and may

appoint receivers.

orders in the nature of, and to have the effect of? a handamus or an injunction, or may appoint it receiver; and any such order may be rnadc, either unconditionally or upon such terms and conditions as the Court shall think just, and if an order in the nature of an injuction is asked, either before or at, or after the hearing of any cause or matter, to prevent any threatened or apprehended waste or trespass, such order

Jud. Act, sec. 28.

may be made if the Court shall think fit, whether the person

@lightly altered.) against whom such order is sought is or is not in possession under any claim of title or otherwise, or (if out of possession) does or doe5 not $aim .a right to do the act sought to be're- etmined under a y colour of title, md whether the estates

claimed

41" & 42" VXCTORXi;3E, No, 116. 7

-.

Szrprme Coiwt Ad.--1878,

clainled by both or by either of the parties are legal or.

11,

equitable, and the orders or order above provided far shlall hive the same force and attributes respect&ely that writs of mandamns and injunc5on now have, and shall be enforced, and disobedience thereto punished by the said Court in such and the same manner as writs of mandamus and injunction are now enforced, and disobedience thereto is now punishable by the Courts now having authority to grant the said writs:

rx. I n any cause or proceeding for damages arising out of a Damagea bycollisiona

collision between two ships, if both ships shall be found to have to ,,v,I. a t Eea Admiralty d e n

been in fault, the rules hitherto in force in the High Court of Admiralty, so far as they have been at variance with the rules in force in the Courts of Common Law shall prevail: C

X. In questions relating to the custody and education of infan&, I n questionsrelating to infants rules of

the ltules of Equity shall prevail: equity to prevail.

XI. Generally in a matters not hereinbefore prticularly Case8 of conflict not enumerated.

men tioncd in which there is any conflict or variance between ~ d, , ,,,ity to

the h l e s of Equity and the ltules of Common Law with ;~&\;'!;~~~mon

reference to the same matter, the Rulks of Equity shall prevail. law.

PART 111.

SITTIN GS AN I> DISTRIBUTION OF BUSINESS.

7. The di~ision of the legal year into terms shall be abolished so ~bol i t i&of terms.

far as relates to the administration of' justice, and there shall no lorlger be terins applicable to any sitting or business of the said Court, or of any conmissioners to whom any jurisdiction may be assigned under this Act; but in all other cases in which, under the law now existing, the terms into which the legal year is divided are used as a measure for determining the time at or

~vitliin which any act is required to be done, the same may '	,	'	U	A c t j a c e * 2 6 *
continue to be referred to for the sarne ur the like purpose, unless
and until provision is otherwise made by any lawful authority:	The said Court and the Judges thereof respedtirely, or any such
Comnlissioncrs as aforesaid, shall have power to sit and act at any time and at any place for the transaction of any part of the business of such Chust, or of such Judges or Commissioners, or for the discharge of any duty by which any Act of Parliament, or

otherwise, is izquired to be discl~argecl in or out of term,

8. The Governor may from time to time, upon anv report or Vacation.

recommendation of the Judges of the said Court mike, revoke,

or modify orders regulating the vacations to be observed by the	said Court, and in the offices qf the said Court; and any order Jud. Act, sec. 27.
made pursuant to this section shall, so long as it continues in force, be of the same effect as if it wcre contained in this Act, and until rules are made for carrying such orders into effect the vacations shall be as fixed by the Rulee of Court.

9. During

9, During vacation all such applications as may require to be immediately or promptly heard shdl be heard according to the pro- visions in the Rules of Court in that behalf.

Forming of Circuit

Co.tute, arid further 10. Nothing in this Act shall be taken to repeal or affect the

provision.	Third Judge and District Courts Act, or the Act No. 6, 1868-9, in- tituled " An Act to repeal Act No. 11 of 1866-7, intituled ' An Act to amend the Third Judge sad District Courts Act, alld for other purposes,' an1 to make further provision for the trial of
causes and trial of offences at places remote from the Court ":
Provided that it shall be lawful for the Governor, on the recom- mendation of the Judges of the said Court, to direct the com- mission or cornmissiot~s to be issued under the said Acts to any practitioner or practitioners of the said Court of at least seven years standing, and thereupon such practitioner or prac- titioners shall proceed to hold such Court according to the tenor of such comlvission or cotnmissions, and such Court so holden shall be deemed to be and shall have all the attributes of a Circuit Court under the said Acts, and tllc practitioner or practitioners to whom such conlrnission or coin mission^: shall be directed shall per- form such and the like duties, and have such and the like powers

as by the said Acts are imposed or conferred upon any J.udge of

the Supreme Court to whom a commission is directed under the said Acts: Provided also that all trials M hich if lml after the commencement of this Act at the Civil Sittings of the Supreme Court would be had before a Judge of the said Court without rt jury, shall, if held at any Circuit Conrt, be had without a Jury before the J d g e or practitioner or practitioners, as the casp may

be, to whom"such~commissicln W or cornrnissions shall be directed.

11. The Civil Sittings of the said Court for the trial of causes and questions or issues of fact s11d (except where the contrary is declared or provided by this Act or Rules of Court) be held in Adelaide, in the said Province, and such sittings shall, so f i r as is

tinuously throughout the year by as many Judges as the business reasonably practicable, and subject to vacatious, be held con- to be disposed of may render necessary.

Juri~diction of Judge 12. Any Judge of the said Court may exercise in Court or in Chambers all or any part of the jurisdiction by this Act tested in the said Court in all such causes and matters, and in all such pro-

in Conrt or Chambers.

Section I f in Bill of.	ceedings in any causes or matters as before the passing of this Act
1878.	might have been heard in Court or in Chambers respectively by
any single Judge of the said Court, or as may be directed by Rules
of Court.

Bneinem in Beaco as 13. All business of the said Court which, according to the law or

heretofore.

practice now existing would have been proper to be transacted or

disposed of by the $1.111 Court if this Act had not passed, shdl

continue to be tramacted and disposed of by the like number of

Judgeg

8uflreme Court Act.-1878,

Judges, and in such and the same nianner, as the same has heretofore	FAET M.
been transacted and disposed of.

14. Any Judge or Judges of the said Court, or any Commissioner Cwe or points of lsw

sitting in the exercise of any jurisdiction of the said Court, may herehforr.	may be reserved aa
reserve any case or'any point in a case for the consideration of the Full Court, or may direct any case or point iil a case to be argued

before the Full Court, and such Full Court shall have power to Section l9 in Bill of	hear and determine any such case or point so reserved or so directed 1876.
to be argued.

15. I t shall be lawful for the Full Court, in any cause or matter in Motionsfornewtrinla

which a verdict has been found by a jury or by a Judge, without a Full Court.	to be heard bofore
jury or by referees or by a Judge sitting with assessors, or in which a

or enter or set aside such nonsuit, or to reduce the damages awarded: 187E.	nonsuit has been entered or refused to vary or set aside such verdict section 20 in Bill of
And any objection which heretofore could have been taken
by motion in arrest of judgment, or to entcr judgment nolt 06- f $; ~ ~, ) 8 e C. 4 8
wtante veredicto, shall be taken on such motion for new trial, or to
entcr a verdict or nonsuit, or set aside a nonsuit, or to reduce damages, otherwise, and 110 appeal shall lie from any judgment founded and not upon and applying any verdict, or from any order or direction of any Judge of the said Court in any matter whatsoever, unless a motion has been made or other proceeding taken before the said Court to set aside or reverse such verdict or the judgment, if any, founded thereou, or such order or direction, in which case an appeal shall lie to such Court, and irk such manner and on such condi- tions as appeals now lie from judgments or determinations of the said Court or Judge.

16. Every order or direction made by a Judge of the said Court, As to dischar~ing

whether in Chambers or in Court, may be set aside or discharged ,, ordera made 1n Cou~t

by the Full Court, and an appeal shall also lie to the Full Court action 21 in Bill of	1876.
from any refusal of any Judge to make any order.	Jud. Act, sec. 60.

-- (slightly altered).

PART IV.

TRIAL AND PROCEDURE.

17. All actions which have hitherto been commenced by writ in Proceedings W- viously commencing

the Supreme Court, and all suits which have hitherto bee11 corn- bill, or

mation, or by citation or otherwise, in such Court in its Testamentary	menced in such Court in its Equitable Jurisdiction, by bill or infor- ;~~~;~;~$;~~;
Causes Jurisdiction, shall be instituted in the Supreme Court by a proceeding to be called an action.

18. The Court or any Judge thereof shall hear and determine. on Matter8 pmvioudy cognizable on potition,

petition, motion, or summons, all matter8 and applications not being motion, ors-ong

in a cause which before the passing of the Act would have been s m s o co~kablea

heard and determined by thb COU; or any Judge thereof in any

branch of its jurisdiction, on petition, motion, or summons.

116-B 19, A l l

4P &: 4 9 PXUrOBPB, No. 116.

& w p ~ e t ~ E%u3+t Act.--1878.

19. All other proceedings in and applications to the said Court may, subject to Rules of Court, be taken and made, W they would have been trtken and made if this Act had not been passed, or in 8UCb othet fnmlzer a8 any Judge mag direct.

Pawem of Primary

Judge, &C., trans-	20. All jurisdictions, potPer, and authorities aonferred or imposed on the Prhtrry Judge or any Judge of the said Court, and, whether in Equity or otherwise, by any Statute heretofore in force in this p~ovince, shall, subject to this Act and any Rules of Court, be had and exercised by the said Court OX any Judge or Judges thereof.
femd to Court.
21, Actions hall be tried and heard either before a Judge or J'udgeg, or before a Judge sitting with assessors, or before a Judge

jury*

1'1% without jury

unless Bither party 22, All actions shall be tried before a Jodge or Judges without a

requires jury.

jury, unless either party require a jury in any case which would

heretofore have been proper to be trled before a jury, in which case such trial shall take place before a. Judge and jury, but nothing herein contained shall defeat or prej u&ice any powers heretofore possessed by the Court or any Judge to order the trial of any ques- tions or issues of fact by a jury or by a special jury.

Juries.

28, In actions which are altogether of contract the jury shall con- sist of six, and in all other actions the juiy shall eonsist of twelve: Provided that in actions where it is dcubtfnl whether the action is of contract or otherwise, the Court or any Judge thereof may decide whether the jury shall consist of six or twelve; and the Court or any Judge thereof on the application, subject to Rules of Court, of either party in any action of contract may order that such action shall be tried bp a jury of twelve, if from any reason it shall appear to such Court or Judge desirable so to do.

Verdiots of juries.

24. In actions of contract two-thirds of the total number of jurors

may return a verdict, but in all other actions the verdict must be

unanimous, unless otherwise agreed.

25. Subject to any Rules of Court, and to the right of having

Bection 29; h Bill of

cases submitted to the verdict of a jury, should any party desire it,

1876,

the Court may in any cause or matter before such Court, in which it '

may think it expedient so to do, call in the aid of oue or more

Bill o$ exceptions.

assessors, specially qualified, and try and hear such cause or matter

Seo. 66 (elightly .

wholly or partially, with the assistance of such assessors. The

altered).	remuneration, if any, to be paid to such assessorg ahall be deter- mined by the Court, and the sum ao fixed shall be paid by the Sheriff in the same manner as jury fees are now paid.
before rcrfismes,

POwep	tdr*	26. In any cauee or matter before the mid Court, in which all parties interested who ture under no disability consent thereto, and alao without ~ u c h consent in tinny auch ,cauw or mater requiring
any prolonged examination of documents ot a.i?cohnb, or any

scientific

saientifiu or local investigation, which cannot, in the opinion of the	PAST W,
Court or 6 Judge, conveniently be made before a jury, or conducted by the Court, the Court or a Judge may at any time, and on such terms as may he thought proper, order such cause or matter to be

tried either before the Master of the Court, or before a special Section 23 in Bill of	referee or referees to be appointed by the Court or a Judge, or im.
before a special referee or referees to be agreed on between the parties: All such trials before the Master or such special referee or rcfcrees. shall be conductcd in soch manner as may be prescribed ;$-$;; sec. by rule^ of Court, and subject thereto iu such manner as the C ~ u r t
or Judge ordering the same s l d direct.

27. In all cases of any reference to or trial by the &laster or by Power of refereca and

referees uniter this Act, the Master or such rcferees shall have suck effect of t h i r findings.

authority for the purpose of such rafcrence or trial tls shall be presc!ibull bv Rules of Court or (subject to such rules) by the Court or Judge okerins such reference or trial, and the report of the 1876. 21 in Bill of

Master or such referees upon any question of fact on any such trial shall (unless set aside by the Court) be equivalent to the vcrdict of thc Jury, and may be entered up and enforced as a verdict of a $ ~ e ~ W. 68 ~ ~ f

Jury. In case of such reference to referees such referee or referees

$hail be deenierl to be oficevs of the Court.

28. 13;itll respect to all such proceedings before referees and their Powera ofcourt with respect to proceeding6

reports, the Court, or B U C ~ ;I atlge as aforesaid, shall have, in addition referees,

to any otllt.1. powers, tlic same or the like powers as are given to the ~,a:~,t, sec. 59.

same, with respcct to rcf'erences to arbitration and proceedings BeotionfibinBiU~f

before arbitrators atid their awards respectively by the Supreme 1876.

Court Proceriure Act, 1855,

RULES OF COURT AND COUNCILS OF JUDGES.

29. Subject to the provisions of this Act, it shall be lawful for Rdes af court rnw

any two or more of the Judges of the Supreme Court, so soon bemade.

ns possihle aftm the passing of this Act, to cause to be prepared

Kules with a vicw.of rendering the procesa, procedure, and mode of pleacling in the said Court more simple and speedy and providing

as follows-

I. For the regulation of the sittings of the said Court, and of "d.Act~'cs ''.

the Judges of the said Court sitting in Chambers:

rr. For the regulation of all matters relating to the practiw $mif	procedure of the said Court, or to the duties of the officers
thereof, or to the costa of yrocekdings therein (including the costs to be allowed to practitioners of the said Court in respect of business transacted in such Court cir the office8

hereof),

ct any order~l made by the Governor

Rutes trt be laid before All Rules of Court made in pursuance of this section shall be laid "fiu*wt be a~nuliled m and addrew may before the Legislative Council and House of Assembly of the said

from Bi.ther House.	Province within one month next after the same are made, if Parlia- ment is then sittiog, or, if not, within one month after the then next meeting of Parliament; and if not disallowed by express resolution of both Houses of Parliament within one month from
the time within which the same should be laid before such Houses

"'S '". such Rules shall, after the expiration.of such month, be conclusively deemed to be valid, and shall have the force of law, and shall be judicially noticed.

Criminal procedure 30. The practice and procedure in ay1 criminal causes and matters

aubjeatbfutnl.eRu1~u wht&oever in the said Court, incl~zding the practice and procedure to re=& unaltered, with respect to questions of law reserved on criminal trials, except

71, as expressly altered hercby, shall be the same as the practice and procedure in similar causes and matters before the passing of this Act.

Aat not to affect 31. Xotkring in this Act, ok in any Rules of Court to be made by

juries. Or virtue hereof, shall affect the mode of giving evidence by the

W o n 30 in Bill of	oral examination of witnesses in trials by jury, or otherwise, or
1876.	the rules of' evidence, ar the law relating to jurymen or juries. Provided that the Court shall be entitled to allow deposition 3 or affi-

~ u d. A C ~, sec. 77 davits to be read in all cases in which through the ill~less or absence

from the said province of any witness, or through any sufficient cause

it shall be in the opinion of the Court expedient so to do.

Rules of court may	32. Where any provisions in respect of	the practice or procedure
be

procedure mOdilyini in any ct of the said Court are contained in any Act of Parliament, Rules of

of parli~rnent.

Court may be made for modifying such provision to any extent

that may be deemed necessary,

Power make and 33. From and after the commencement of this Act the Judges

alter BaLes aker come

mencementof Bet, of the Supreme Court may at any time alter and annul any

Rules of Court for the time being in force, or make any new

Rules of Court, for the purpose of regulating all such mat-

Ju& dot, see. 74. ters of practice md procedure in the Supwme Court, or re- lating to the suitors or officers of the said Court or otherwise, as under the provisions of this Act are, or may be, regulated by Rules uf Court: Proviclpl, that any rule made in the exercise of this power, whether for altering or ~nnulling any then existing Rule, or for any other purpose, shall be laid before the Legis- lative Council and House of Assembly, within the same time

and

v

41" & 42' VICTORIB, No. 116, 13

&pwme Court Act.-1878.

-- - .- p- P-

and in the same manner, and with the same effect in all respects,	PART	v.
EM is hereinbefore provided with respect to the said Rules to be made
before the commencement of this Act.

34. The Judges of the Supreme Court shall assemble once at least Councils of Judges to

in every gear for the purpose of considering the operation of this Act ahiniatration of conaider procedureand

and of the Rules of Court for the time being in force, and also the justice,

working of the several offices, and the arrangements relative to the

duties of the officers of the said Court respectively, and of inquiring

Jud. Act, sec. 75.

and examining into any defects which may appear to exist in the system of procedure or the administration ot thl: law in the said Court; and they shall report annually to the Attorney-General of the said province what (if any) amendments or alterations it would, in their judgment, bc expedient to make in this Act, or otherwise, relating to the administration of j us tice, and what other provisions (if any) which cannot be carried into effect without the authority of Parliament, it would be expedient to make for the better administration of j~isticc.

PART VI. PART VI.

OFFICERS, INTERPREI'ATION, AND MISCELLANEOUS.

35. The business to be performed in the said Court, or in the off;,,,,.

Chambers of any Jndge thereof, other than that performed by the Judges, shall be tlistribnted among the several officers at present or hereafter attached to the Supreme Conrt, or by ltules of Court to be hereafter attached to the said Court, in such manner as may be directed by Ilules of ( 'ourt, or, in ariy cases not provided for by Rules of Court, as s w h C'ourt or m y Judge thereof may direct, and such officers shall perform such duties in relation to such business as may be directed by this Act or by Rules of Court, or by such ('onrt or any Judge thereof; ancl, subject to this Act and such R u l ~ s of Court, all s11c.h oficers rcsyectively shall continue to perform the same duties ns nearly as may be in the same manner

as if this Act had not passed.

36. Every person who, at the commenceinent of this Act, shall be Power of ccmmis-

authorised to administer oaths in the Supreme Court in any branch or branches of its jurisdiction, shall be a commissioner to administer

oaths in all causes and matters whatsoever which may from time Jud. AIA, sec. 82.

to time be depending in the said Court.

37. The several Rules of Law enacted and declared by this Act Ruleanf Lawto appl

shall be in foiw and receivc effect in all Courts whatsoever in the t U a l l C O a l L ~.

said province, so f i x as the matters to which such Rules relate shall be respectively cognizable hy such Comts, and shall take effect from

and after the passmg of this Act.

38. Thc procedure in the Supreme Court for the proving wills, P , ~ prob.ta ~ ~

granting letters of administration, and other matters, known in ~ j r a ~ t i c ~.

England as L common form practice," 13ha11 continue and be as at

present. 39, In

41" & 420 VTQTORIB, MQ, 116.

, , '

8~pr.enae Cowt Ac;t.-18'V8.

-

PABT VI. 39. i n the construction of this Act, unless there is anything in

-

IU~+&~~OO.	the subject or context repugnant thereto, the several word8 herein- after mentioned shall have or include the meanings follawiug [that
is to say)-

'Tourt" shall mean the Supreme Court of South Australia:

Cause " shall include any action, suit, or other original proceed-

ing between a plaintiff and a defendant; "

Buit " shall include aotion:

Plaintiff" shall include every person asking any relief (other- wise than by way of counterclaim as a defendant) against any other person by any form or proeeeding, whether the same be taken by action, suit, petition, motion, summons, or otherwise:

Petitioner" shall include cvery person making any application to the Court, either by petition, motion, or summons, other- wise than as against any defendant:

Def'cndant" shall include every person served with any writ of summons or process, or served with notice of, or entitled to attend any pxoceedings:

"Matter" shall include every proceeding in the Court not in a

cause:

Cc Pleading" sh~tll include cny pctition or sumnlons, and also shall-

include the statemen t in writing of the claim or demand of any plaintiff and or' the defence of any defendant thereto, and also any other inzltkr by Rules of Court to be included

under the tcrm pleading ":

"Judgment " shall include decree:

Order" shall include rule:

"Existing" shall mean existing at the time appointed foie the commencement of this Act,

llules of Court " shall include thc Rule or Itules nild Forms made from time to time under the authority of this Act :

G Full Court " shall mean the Supreme 'Court consisting of the three Judges, thereof, or if any of the Judges be absent from the said province, or unable to attend from illness from being engaged in presiding in the Court in any othcr branch of its jurisdiction, or from any other unavoidable cause, or if any Judge or Judges shall be or declare himself or tficmse~ves to be interested in the matter in question, or shall declare that he cannot give a decision from having acted as counsel or attorney, or otherwise, in connexion with the subjectmatter, the ~ u l l Court shaU mean any other

Judge or Judgp thereof:

'"rties "

.dI0 & 420 VICTQRIB, No. 116. 16

B t q ~ m e Court Act.--1878.

Parties" shall include as well as the plaintiff and defeudant in

the action as any person uot originally a party against 'whom

any counter claim is set up, or who has been served with notice to appear under any of the Rules of Court; and also every person served with notice of or attending any pro- ceeding, although not named on the record:

This Act" and The said Act," shall respectively mearl the

Supreme Court Act, 1878.

I n the name and on behalf of Her Majesty, I hereby assent to

this Bill.

WM. F. DRUMMOND JERVOI$, Governor.

Adelaide : By authority, E. BPIWIEB, Aoting G o y e y n t Pshter, Horth4erraa.