Simple English definitions for legal terms
Read a random definition: emporium
Hatsell's Precedents: A book that contains rules and decisions made by the House of Commons, which is a group of important people who make laws in England. The book was written by a man named John Hatsell and has two volumes. It was used by Thomas Jefferson when he was in charge of the United States Senate.
Hatsell's Precedents is a collection of rules and decisions made by the House of Commons, which were compiled by the House's clerk, John Hatsell. The collection was published in two volumes, the first in 1776 and the second in 1781. It is a primary source for the manual that Thomas Jefferson compiled while presiding over the United States Senate.
One example of a precedent in Hatsell's Precedents is the rule that a member of the House of Commons cannot speak more than once on the same question during a debate. This means that if a member has already spoken on a particular topic, they cannot speak again during the same debate. This rule helps to ensure that all members have an equal opportunity to express their opinions and prevents any one member from dominating the discussion.
Another example is the rule that a member must be present in the House of Commons in order to vote. This means that if a member is not present when a vote is called, they cannot cast a vote. This rule helps to ensure that all votes are fair and that members cannot manipulate the voting process by intentionally staying away.
These examples illustrate how Hatsell's Precedents provide a set of guidelines and rules for the House of Commons to follow. By following these precedents, the House can ensure that its proceedings are fair, transparent, and consistent.