Arthur Kekewich Quotes

I do not think I can pass over the distinct words of Sir George Jessel, who knew practice as thoroughly as any Judge who ever sat on the bench.

I think that the proper and safe course is to follow a decision of a Court of co-ordinate jurisdiction, unless some cogent reason is given to the contrary.

I wish to uphold counsel in the exercise of their discretion.

I must look at the decision with reference to all the circumstances which led to it.

Decisions in the American Courts are entitled to great respect, but are not binding here; and there are many circumstances affecting questions arising between the laws of different States which may or may not be applicable to questions arising here.

It is the right of her Majesty's subjects to make claims and to have them tried in the constitutional way.

I am always afraid of quoting my own decisions; I do not think it is the right thing for a judge to do, but I often do refer to them when I can thereby avoid repeating in different words what I have said before.

Public policy does not admit of definition and is not easily explained. It is a variable quantity; it must vary and does vary with the habits, capacities, and opportunities of the public.

It is impossible for us English lawyers, dealing with the English language, to express our views except in the technical language of our law.

Born and bred, so to say, in Chancery, I have a strong leaning towards the rule of the Court of Chancery, of requiring full discovery.

It is to my mind much to be regretted, and it is a regret which I believe every Judge on the bench shares, that text-books are more and more quoted in Court—I mean, of course, text-books by living authors—and some Judges have gone so far as to say that they shall not be quoted.

Any man who spends his income, whether large or small, benefits the community by putting money in circulation.

Masterly inactivity may be prudence to one man, desperate rashness to another.

Experience tells us that sometimes, when minorities insist on their rights, they ultimately prevail.

A decision of the House of Lords requires no sanction.