Note 184 — CHAP. XIX.
Reading edition
The following authentic table, divided into four Classes, will shew in forcible colours, the evils which arise from there being no distinction between the amount of the sum to be recovered in one action and another, in settling the costs. In the county of Middlesex, in the year 1793, the actions for recovering debts stood thus:
Classes. Number of Writs. of which Bailable. Executions. Costs of Actions undefended at 12l. each. £. Costs of Actions defended at 50l. each. £. Net Amount of Debts sued for £.
1 from 10 to 20l. 5,719 4,966 753 68,728 285,950 81,791
2 20 to 30 2,267 1,878 389 21,090 113,350 85,675
3 30 to 100 4,367 2,492 1,875 52,404 238,350 237,358
4 £.100 & upw. 2,324 1,769 555 27,160 116,200 1,010,379
14,677 11,105 3,572 169,382 753,850 1,385,203
Thus it appears, that upwards of one million of money, in the 4th class, is recovered at considerably less than half the expence of 81,791l. in the 1st class.