John Holt (Lord Chief Justice) (23 December 1642 – 5 March 1710) was an English lawyer and served as Lord Chief Justice of England from 17 April 1689 to his death.
We cannot alter the law, we are bound by our oaths to proceed according to the law as it is at present.
We cannot make a law, we must go according to the law. That must be our rule and direction.
I am far from being such a Judge as shall lay any intolerable yoke upon any one's neck.
My judgment ought to be given for the plaintiff: but my brothers are all of another opinion, and so I submit to it. The defendant must have his judgment.
An universal custom is a law, and I know no distinction between lex mercatoria and consuetudo mercaborum.