Common Law Procedure Act 1852

XXVII Final Judgment upon Writ specially indorsed in default of Appearance.

In case of Nonappearance by the Defendant, where the Writ of Summons is indorsed in the special Form herein-before provided, it shall and may be lawful for the Plaintiff, on filing an Affidavit of personal Service of the Writ of Summons, or a Judge's Order for Leave to proceed under the Provisions of this Act, and a Copy of the Writ of Summons, at once to sign final Judgment in the Form contained in the Schedule (A.) to this Act annexed, marked No. 5., (on which Judgment no Proceeding in Error shall lie,) for any Sum not exceeding the Sum indorsed on the Writ, together with Interest at the Rate specified, if any, to the Date of the Judgment, and a Sum for Costs, (to be fixed by the Masters of the said Superior Courts, or any Three of them, subject to the Approval of the Judges thereof, or any Eight of them, of whom the Lord Chief Justices and the Lord Chief Baron shall be Three,) unless the Plaintiff claim more than such fixed Sum, in which Case the Costs shall be taxed in the ordinary Way; and the Plaintiff may upon such Judgment issue Execution at the Expiration of Eight Days from the last Day for Appearance, and not before : Provided always, that it shall be lawful for the Court or a Judge, either before or after final Judgment, to let in the Defendant to defend upon an Application, supported by satisfactory Affidavits accounting for the Nonappearance, and disclosing a Defence upon the Merits.