Thomas Barnardiston (legal writer) facts for kids

Thomas Barnardiston (died 1752) was an English lawyer and legal reporter. He was known for writing down important court cases. However, his reports were often said to be not very accurate.

Who Was Thomas Barnardiston?

Thomas Barnardiston was born into a family from Wyverstone and Bury St Edmunds in England. His father was also named Thomas Barnardiston. His mother was Mary, the daughter of Sir George Downing, 1st Baronet.

His Early Life and Education

Thomas was the oldest child in his family. He had two sisters, Elizabeth and Mary. After attending Bury school, he went to Clare College, Cambridge in 1722. The next year, in 1723, he joined the Middle Temple. This was a place where people studied to become lawyers.

His Career as a Lawyer

Thomas Barnardiston became a special kind of lawyer called a serjeant-at-law on June 3, 1735. This was a high rank for a lawyer in England at that time. He worked as a barrister, which is a lawyer who argues cases in court. He also worked as a legal reporter, writing down details of court decisions.

When Did He Die?

Thomas Barnardiston passed away on October 14, 1752. He was buried in Chelsea, London, on October 20.

What Legal Reports Did He Write?

Thomas Barnardiston wrote two main sets of legal reports. These books helped other lawyers understand past court decisions.

Chancery Reports

His first reports were about cases from the Court of Chancery. These were published in 1740, 1741, and 1742. They are important because they included decisions made by Lord Hardwicke, a very influential judge.

King's Bench Reports

He also published Reports of Cases adjudged in the King's Bench. These reports covered cases from 1726 to 1734. They were published in two volumes in 1744.

What Was His Reputation?

Thomas Barnardiston's legal reports had a mixed reputation. Some famous judges thought they were not very good, while others found them useful.

Opinions on His Accuracy

Sir James Burrow said that Lord Mansfield, another important judge, did not want students to use Barnardiston's Chancery reports. This was because they were often incorrect. Some people even joked that his reports were just nonsense written by someone else while he was sleeping!

Was He Always Wrong?

However, not everyone agreed. Lord Manners said that even though Barnardiston was not known for being very accurate, some of his cases were reported very well. Lord Eldon also said that some of his reports were "of very great authority." This shows that his work was not entirely useless.

King's Bench Reports Reputation

His reports for the King's Bench were also criticized. But despite the criticism, lawyers often used them as references. This suggests they still contained valuable information.