The Grantham Debtor

Nowadays County Court Judgements to enforce debt are almost a rubber stamp process, especially if unchallenged. However, if we go back a hundred years or so we see a more direct approach where the debtor would be summonsed to appear before a judge who would effectively interview the debtor to understand the reason for the debt not being paid, to assess their moral character, and to establish the ability and means of the debtor to pay their debt. Poor folk in Grantham established a method of avoiding the unpleasant process of facing a judge at County Court as described in April 1898:

"When the judgement summonses were being dealt with by the Judge at Grantham last Thursday, and the name Gregory was called a woman stepped to the front. The following interesting conversation took place:

Bailiff to the court, Mr. Bolton: 'You're not Mrs. Gregory?'

The Woman: 'I am her next door neighbour; she can't come.'

His Honor Judge Wightman Wood: 'Where is she?'

The Woman: 'At home, busy with her three boys, who are ill.'

The Bailiff: ' And how much has Mrs. Gregory given you to come?'

The Woman: 'Threepence.'

The Judge; 'Do they make a trade of it?'

The Bailiff: ' It's regularly done.'

The Judge: 'Surely its an infringement on the rights of solicitors?' (laughter)'When the unfortunate defaulters can secure an advocate and avoid an unpleasant personal interview with the Judge for the modest "threepenny bit" it would be surprising if they did not avail themselves of the privilege. It is a decided revelation, however, to learn that the practice widely prevails.' "

Thus we see a local working class pragmatism in dealing with authority.