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William Murray, 1st Earl of Mansfield Quotes
1705–1793 Scotland
William Murray, 1st Earl of Mansfield, SL, PC (2 March 1705 – 20 March 1793), better known as Lord Mansfield, was a British barrister, politician and judge noted for his reform of English law. He served as a Member of Parliament for Boroughbridge, where he was noted for his "great powers of eloquence" and described as "beyond comparison the best speaker" in the House of Commons.
Scotland Judges Politicians Also known as: Lord Mansfield
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I do not approve of indicting, where there is another remedy: it carries the appearance of oppression.
It is needless to enter into many reasons for quashing the conviction, when one alone is fully sufficient.
I think it is better, as it is a family-affair, to stand over for the chance of a compromise.
I will consider it upon the Precedents; upon the circumstances of this case; and upon the Reason of the thing.
An ejectment is an ingenious fiction, for the trial of titles to the possession of land.
The case in Levinz was about an hundred years ago: Put a marginal note, and it will serve an hundred years hence.
If no reason had been given, the authority might have had more weight: but, to be sure, the reason is a false one.
The liberty of the press is a very great advantage and security to our public liberty.
The jury can't find a negative, unless' such an one as is proved by an affirmative.
I lay great stress upon the two precedents of near a century and a half ago, and no instance in contradiction of them.
The reason and spirit of cases make law; not the letter of particular precedents.
The King has no interest in this money : he is only Royal trustee for the party.
There is no positive law: Many things are bad by that, which otherwise were not.
Whether a transaction be fair or fraudulent is often a question of law: it is the judgment of law upon facts and intents.
Mercy is in the King's breast, but is no part of our province: and therefore your application on that head must be elsewhere.
The Court are bound to consider all the circumstances of the case, before they disturb the peace and quiet of any corporation.
If his sorrow was honest and sincere it may go very far in mitigation.
Possession is very strong; rather more than nine points of the law.
We are to exercise a just discretion and not to promote vexation.
We think the conscience of the case is entirely on your side.
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