and presenting it with notes appended to its sections explanatory of their meaning and indicative of the changes in the law. But the Authors felt that this would be but an inadequate and confusing treatment of a subject of great inherent complexity, and would have the necessary effect of making their work a sealed book to all save lawyers. They accordingly discarded this method, and, instead, arranging and methodising the whole learning of the subject in what has seemed to them the most intelligible order, they have inserted the provisions of the new Act in those parts of the Statement into which they seemed naturally to fall. The Authors hope it will be found that a discussion of no part of the law has been omitted by them, and that they have not failed to note in its appropriate place any decision of authority; while they trust their anxiety to give all the references in contemporary reports to cases quoted will add to the practical usefulness of the book in the hands of the Profession. 1, THE CLOISTERS, TEMPLE, E.C., 5th September, 1883. M. W. M. S. C. M. CONTENTS. Illegal Practices which Avoid the Election if committed by any Agent. The Office and Duties of the Election Agent, and Election Expenses. Section 2.-The Nature and Amount of Election Expenses. Section 1.-On Applications for Relief. Section 2.-On Election Petitions. TABLE I. GIVING A COMPLETE LIST OF ALL CORRUPT AND ILLEGAL PRACTICES WHICH AFFECT THE SEAT, AND INDICATING THE SECTION AND ACT UNDER N.B.-The offences in italics are so emphasised because the court has no power in any of those cases to grant relief, either under sec. 22 or 23 of the Act of 1883, or at all. Failing to (sec. 33). TABLE II. SHOWING MAXIMUM PUNISHMENTS, INCAPACITIES AND PENALTIES TO WHICH PERSONS ARE EXPOSED FOR OFFENCES AGAINST THE ACT OF 1883. Maximum Punishment. 7 years' penal servitude and 2 years' hard labour and Incapacities. (1) Incapacity to sit in House of Commons (2) Incapable of being registered as elector or (3) Incapable for 7 years of holding any public (4) If a justice of the peace, barrister, &c., &c., 1 year with or without All the above incapacities. Penalties in Civil Court. £100 a day to any person who 40s. and full costs of suit to any N.B.-The above incapacities apply to every person convicted of or reported as guilty of any of the offences named; but if a CANDIDATE is reported by an Election Court as personally guilty of any corrupt practice, in addition to all those incapacities he is disabled for ever sitting in the House of Commons for the constituency in which he offended (sec. 4), and if he is reported as personally guilty of any illegal practice he is incapable for the next seven years of sitting in the House of Commons for the constituency in which he offended (sec. 11). |