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Archiver > GENBRIT > 2004-07 > 1089101489


From: Michael <m@nospam.com>
Subject: Re: Where to find UK court records from 1930's-1950's
Date: Tue, 06 Jul 2004 20:11:29 +1200
References: <cqHEc.5800$LT3.230330@news.xtra.co.nz> <cc0e5v$qft$1@hercules.btinternet.com>
In-Reply-To: <cc0e5v$qft$1@hercules.btinternet.com>


Chris, thanks for all that info :)
Are you able to recommend a researcher who I
could pay to do this please?

Thanks.
Michael.

Chris Watts wrote:
> "Michael" <m@nospam.com> wrote in message
> news:cqHEc.5800$...
>
>>Hi
>>I live in New Zealand and am looking
>>for court records for a civil case
>>that was done sometime between 1938 and
>>1952.
>>
>>I have letters from solictors talking
>>about the case but would like to
>>see the actual records.
>>
>>The persons concerned in the case lived
>>in London.
>>
>>The solictors were Herbert G Rastall & Jones.
>>
>>One of the letters mentions a summons to the
>>Chancery Division of the High Court.
>>The letter is dated 29 Nov 1938 and the proceedings
>>were for "Friday next" (which I think was 2nd Dec 1938)
>>
>>Another mentions the proceedings went before the judge on
>>27 Jan 1939.
>>
>>Anyone able to suggest where I can look or
>>provide help please?
>>
>>BTW, this was a case regarding legitimasy so
>>could radically change my research direction! :)
>
>
> The records of the Chancery Division of the High Court of Justice are at the
> National Archives. They should be avaialble up to at least 1945, some
> later, but you will need to check for each of the five or so parallel series
> of documents that will need to be consulted, namely J15, J54, J4, J57 and
> J53 (there a some other more minor series).
> Check the papers that you have already as it may give the case number which
> will consist of a year, a letter and some more numbers (eg 1930 B 1234) as
> this will help find the case as also will its cause name (Smith et al vs
> Jones et al; or re Bloggs, Smith v Jones).
>
> For more details look at both the leaflet on their website
> www.nationalarchives.gov.uk entitled Chancery 'Proceedings: Equity Suits
> from 1558'or the article in Genealogists' Magazine (Vol. 20, June 1981,
> pages 200-206) by me entitled 'In the High Court of Justice'. The latter is
> a little old now (the article NOT me - vbg) but, apart from the location of
> the documents, is still accuarate.
>
> Whoever does the research for you (TNA don't offer that service) will need
> to make several visits to TNA and spend some time on the search. [Series J4
> are outhouse and take 4 days to bring to Kew.] Don't ask somebody new to Kew
> to do the work: these are moderately complex records!
>
> The records are likely to be very informative - especially the affidavits
> (J4) and any master's reports.
>
> Happy searching!
> Chris Watts
>
>
>
>

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