Hearing

The trial of a chancery suit.

Akerly v. Vilas, 24 Wis. 165, 1 Am. Rep. 166; Galpin v. Critchlow, 112 Mass. 339, 17 Am. Rep. 176.

The hearing in the English Chancery was conducted as follows. When the cause Is called on in court, the pleadings on each side are opened In a brief manner to the court by the junior counsel for the plaintiff; after which the plaintiff’s leading counsel states the plaintiff’s case and the points in issue, and submits to the court his arguments upon them. Then the depositions (if any) of the plaintiff’s witnesses, and such parts of the defendant’s answer as support the plaintiff's case, are read by the plaintiff’s counsel; after which the rest of the plaintiff’s counsel address the court. Then the same course of proceedings is observed on the other side, excepting that no part of the defendant’s answer can be read in his favor if it be replied to. The leading counsel for the plaintiff is then heard in reply; after which the court pronounces tho decree. 14 Viner, Abr. 233; Com. Dig. Chancery, (T 1, 2, 3); Danlell, Chanc. Pract. in Criminal Law. The examination of a prisoner charged with a crime or misdemeanor, and of the witnesses for the accused.

See Examination.