Fire at Northampton, Property Disputes Act 1675

Reasons for passing this Act.

A Court of Record constituted.; How to proceed, and what to determine.; Differences between Landlord and Tenant.; Repairs, &c.; Defalcation, Apportioning, &c. of Rent.; Exception.; Times for Repairs, &c.; Definitive Order to be final.

Forasmuch as the greatest part of the Towne of Northampton hath beene burnt downe by a suddaine and dreadfull Fire which happened in September last, and diverse Suites and Controversies by reason thereof are likely to arise betweene the severall Proprietors and others claiming under them, tending (if not prevented) to the great Vexation and Dammage of the poore Inhabitants, and hindering the rebuilding the said Towne [X1 For Remedy thereof, as also for the promoting the rebuilding of the said Towne] Bee it enacted by the Kings most excellent Majestie by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spirituall and Temporall and Commons in the present Parliament assembled, and by the authoritie of the same That the Judges of Assize for the County of Northampton and other the Justices of the Courts of Kings Bench and Common Pleas and the Barons of the Coife of the Exchequer for the time being, the Justices of Peace for the said County for the time being and the Maior of the Towne of Northampton for the time being, and Sir John Holman Baronet, Sir Edmond Bray Knight Thomas Willoughby James Stedman Robert Heslerige Thomas Andrews Thomas Ward Charles Fleetwood Daniell Danvers Salathiell Lovell and William Kimbold Esquires or any five or more of them sitting at the same time and place together at the Guildhall or some other place within the said Towne of Northampton shall be, and by [X2 the] authoritie aforesaid are made and constituted a Court of Record, and shall or may with or without adjournment from time to time summarily and without the Formalities of Proceedings in Courts of Law or Equity by Verdict, Testimony of Wittnesses upon Oath, Examination of Parties interested or by all or any of the said wayes or otherwise at their discretions shall and are hereby authorized from time to time to heare and to determine all Differences and Demands whatsoever which have arisen or may any wise arise between Landlords, Proprietors, Tennants, Lessees, Under Tennants or late Occupiers of any the said Houses or Buildings with their Appurtenances or their Courts Yards or Grounds or any person or persons haveing or claimeing any Estate, Right, Title Interest in Law or Equity, Charge or Incumbrance of or in the same or their or any of their Heires, Executors, Administrators Successors or Assignes or any other persons for, touching or concerning the repaireing, building or not building of the said Houses or Buildings Yards Courts and Grounds or for or concerning the payment defalcation, apportioning or abatement of any Rent or Rents other then Arreares of Rent onely due on or before the nine and twentyeth day of September one thousands six hundred seaventy and five, or for or touching any Covenant Condition or Penalty relateing thereunto or for touching or concerning the prefixing or limitting of any time for such Repaires or new Building or any Rate or Contribution to be borne or paid. thereunto by any person or persons Bodyes Politique or Corporate interested in the Premisses and all Incidents relateing thereunto, And that the definitive Order of the said Court as aforesaid shall be finall as well betweene the said Partyes their Heires Executors Administrators Successors and Assignes and all claiming by, from or under them as touching the matter contained in such Orders from which there shall bee noe Appeale or Review otherwise then as is hereafter expressed.

Editorial Information

X1 interlined on the Roll.

X2 O. omits.