Henry Bickersteth, 1st Baron Langdale

Henry Bickersteth, 1st Baron Langdale, PC QC (18 June 1783 – 18 April 1851) was an English law reformer and Master of the Rolls.

The Court must not depart from those rules which have been considered necessary for the due administration of justice.

Quote

• I am desirous that the case should be brought under the consideration of a higher tribunal, without any unnecessary delay, and to afford every facility in my power for the correction of any error into which I may have fallen.
  • Tullett v. Armstrong (1838), 1 Beav. 31.

• A man cannot be allowed to neglect a duty which he has undertaken.
  • Booth v. Booth (1838), 1 Beav. 129.

• A man acting for himself may indulge his own caprices, and consider what is convenient or agreeable to himself, as well as what is strictly prudent, and his prudential motives cannot afterwards be separated from the others which may have governed him.
  • Attorney-General v. Kerr (1840), 2 Beav. 428.

• Courts of justice ought to carry into effect the intentions of testators as far as they can consistently with the rules of law.
  • Biederman v. Seymour (1841), 3 Beav. 371.

• I have no authority to alter the practice of the Court.
  • Balls v. Margrave (1841), 3 Beav. 449.

• The Court has not time to indulge in the discussion of imaginary cases.
  • Sidebotham v. Barrington (1841), 3 Beav. 529.

• There is no charitable purpose which is not a benevolent purpose.
  • Kendall v. Granger (1842), 5 Beav. 302.

• Generally speaking, a witness has no business to concern himself with the merits of the case in which he is called on to give evidence or whether, when given, it will be material to the cause.
  • Langley v. Fisher (1843), 5 Beav. 447.

• Justice can be peaceably and effectually administered there only where there is recognised authority and adequate power.
  • Duke of Brunswick v. Bang of Hanover (1844), 6 Beav. 49.

• I am bound to administer the law here according to the best construction that I can put upon the intent and meaning of the authorities applicable to the cases before me.
  • Carpmael v. Powis (1845), 9 Beav. 19.

• The Court must not depart from those rules which have been considered necessary for the due administration of justice.
  • Symonds v. The Gas Light and Coke Co. (1848), 11 Beav. 285.

• It would certainly be a very great mistake to suppose that this Court does not attend to lapse of time.
  • Attorney-General. v. Pilgrim (1849), 12 Beav. 61

• It is a great satisfaction for me to find, that this matter will undergo investigation elsewhere, before it is finally decided.
  • Wilson v. Eden (1850), 12 Beav. 459.