The Supreme Court of Civil Justice was originally established as the Inferior Court of Civil Justice in 1857 by Governor James Douglas to deal with the increasing number of petty claims in Victoria. The court was renamed in 1860. Series consists of records including writs, testimony, judgements, and other pertinent documents related to various cases. These records were produced by magistrates, defendants, claimants, and other relevant (and in some cases historically significant) parties including the first judge in BC, the first Attorney General, the earliest clergy, businessmen, and other prominent figures from this period in British Columbia's colonial history. The materials in this series represent a firsthand look at the business and legal proceedings from the colony's early justice system.

Includes claim regarding invoice of provision. Michael Muir was an unpopular early sheriff in Victoria.

Includes claim regarding detailed invoice of provisions.

File contains an envelope and a writ of Summons. Watkins complains that the Defendants, under the name of "Selleck and Rothwell", made a certain promissory note with the Plaintiff that they then refused to pay when due.

File contains: Deposition of Benoist; Bail Bond and Affidavit of J.D. Carroll; Bail Bond and Affidavit of Kaindler; invoice for interpreter services; Interrogatories; (2) Abstract; Appearance and Defense; Affidavit of Rivier; Judge's Order. The plaintiff is suing the Defendant for 104 pounds, 3 shillings and 4 pence for money deposited with the Defendant by the Plaintiff for Defendant's use and for work and labour performed by the Plaintiff for the Defendant at his request.

File contains: Bill of Complaint. The Plaintiff and the Defendants had formed a co-partnership in the city of San Francisco for the purpose of buying and selling grain and flour and other merchandise under the firm name of Russell and Co., which then changed to Rothwell and Newfelder. The business co-partnership ceased operations but has never been wound up and no settlement has been made between the partners. The Defendants moved to Victoria, taking with them the property of the firm of Rothwell and Newfelder but refused to give the Plaintiff an account of their sales. The Plaintiff is suing for damages and for the settlement of all accounts in the co-partnership.

File contains: Original Writ of Summons. Ghirardelli complains that the Defendants are indebted to him in the sum of 203 pounds, 2 shillings and 6 pence for debt and costs regarding a piece of property of the Plaintiffs' that had been used by the Defendants.

Writ. Plaintiff claims that the Defendant is greatly indebted to him and he believes that the Defendant is about to go into "parts beyond the seas" and the Plaintiff asks that he be apprehended and held to bail.

File contains: Summons. Edgar is summoned to appear and serve as a juror in the Supreme Court.

File contains: Notice of Motion; Order; Agreement to Close Evidence; Affidavit of J. Hart; Notice of Motion to Dissolve Injunction; Order of Court for Writ of Injunction; Order; Replication; Affidavit of B. Moses; Notice; (2) In Equity; and Affidavit of D. Green. Legal matters, case material is unclear.

Invoice of Goods Sold; (2) Receipt for $20; Receipt for $50; Receipt for $275; Receipt for cigars, $61; Memorandum Agreement; Affidavit of T. Trounce; and Appointment of C. Verheyden. Case is regarding the settlement of the estate of A. Kaindler.

File contains: Affidavit for Taking Evidence. The Plaintiff is about to proceed to England and is desirous of having his evidence taken before he leaves.

File contains: Order to Hold to Bail; Recognisance of Bail; Bail Piece; Appearance; Plea; Affidavit of D. Edgar; Writ of Summons; and Order. The Defendant is indebted to the Plaintiff for 34 pounds, 2 shillings, for rent of a store from the Plaintiff. It is believed that the Defendant is about to leave the colony and Plaintiff asks that he be held to bail.

File contains: Order; Bill of Complaint; and Affidavit of Cramer. Regarding the sale and conveyance of lot #188 in Victoria which has gone contrary to the terms outlined in the contract between the two parties.

Writ of Caprias. Order to the Sheriff to take the Defendant into custody and hold him to bail.

File contains: Writ of Caprias to the Sheriff of Vancouver Island to seize the goods and chattels of Defendant Green to the sum of 14 pounds, 12 shillings and one pence as stated in the Order issued in the above cause.

File contains: Affidavit of Wood and Culverwell; and an Order. The Defendant is indebted to the Plaintiff for $71.34 for privileged monies due to the Plaintiff on a judgment obtained against the said Defendant in the State of California. Plaintiff is concerned that the Defendant is about to quit the colony and asks that he be apprehended.

File contains: Writ of Caprias; Affidavit of T. Harris; Affidavit of W. Culverwell; Affidavit of A. Feitman; and an Order. The Plaintiffs sold the Defendant 632 head of sheep at $948, $500 due upon delivery in Victoria. Harvey left to Victoria with the intent to defraud the Plaintiffs out of their sheep.

File contains: Cross-Examination of E. Hall. Case regarding the relevance and privileged communications of information in the cross-examination of Hall (see [Hamley v. Edgar]).

File contains: Writ of Caprias. Order to the Sheriff to take the Defendant into custody and hold him to bail.

File contains: (2) Writ of Capri as; Affidavit of T. Gordon; and Writ of Summons. The Plaintiff claims 399 pounds for debt, 33 pounds for costs for cash paid by the Plaintiffs as endorsees of certain Bills of Exchange for the use of the Defendant and for money agreed to be paid by the Defendant to the Plaintiff as interest thereon.

File contains: Bill of Complaint. The Plaintiff had left various goods in Lillooet to be forwarded to Lightening Creek on his behalf by a Mr. Thompson, who transferred them to Mr. Winchell on account of the Plaintiff. Mr. Winchel, however, in difficulties, signed over the goods to a Mr. Gillingham, who then advertised that Cain's goods were to be sold at auction. Plaintiff asks that they be restrained from selling his property.

No. of Plaint – 1774

Summons

• Oldham is summoned to appear in court to answer the Plaintiff for the total amount of $39.75. The particulars for what the amount is due for are not indicated.

Receipt for $445; Receipt for $7; Proposal to purchase Horse drag and Harness; Appointment to Examine; Information and Complaint of J. Ridge, A. Churton, A. Barnet, R. Bishop, and P.J. Hall

-Smallbone is being charged with forgery with the intent of defrauding Mr. Ridge. Smallbone forged Ridge's name on various receipts for money received for a horse and harness with the purpose of defrauding Ridge.

Recognizance of Bail; Appointment to examine; Information of P. Kaukin; depositions of J. Copland, P. Hawkin, A. Sain, and Kenneth McKenzie; Indictment.

-Ah Sain, alias Sam Mooey, a Chinaman labourer and A. Tom, alias Joe, also a Chinese labourer, are charged with breaking and entering into the house of J. Copland and then stealing various personal possessions from him.

Testimony of Henry Heisterman and Chun Tan regarding the market value of property owned by Tong Kee of Victoria who died intestate 27 July 1869.

Information and complaint of T. Styles; Depositions of T. Styles, F.W. O'Connor; J. Flevin; T.G. Moody and G.T. Fox; Statement of the Accused.

-Ah Sam is charged with breaking and entering the dwelling house of Mr. Styles and stealing certain possession from him.

Indictment for Assault Occasioning Bodily Harm.

-Johnny is charged with assaulting J. Dean, causing him bodily harm and other wrongs.

The Government Gazette. Victoria. July 15, 1871, p. 1-4.

-Regarding the intent of John Hamilton Gray of St. John, New Brunswick, Barrister at Law, to apply in the next ensuing term of the Supreme Court of British Columbia, to be admitted, enrolled and allowed to practice as a Barrister at Law in the Superior Courts of British Columbia.

Affidavit of E.A. Sharpe; Affidavit of E. Lynon; Affidavit C. Trew; Affidavit of H.S. Mason in Support of Petition; Petition.

-T. Dessault is of unsound mind and altogether unfit to govern himself or to manage his affairs. He has no relations in British Columbia and is currently detained in the lunatic asylum for safe keeping. Petitioner asks that the court certifies the lunacy of T. Dessault so that he may continued to be cared for in the asylum.

Judgment by Default; Writ of Summons; Affidavit of Service.

-The Plaintiffs claim $177.65 principal and interest due to them as payees on two promissory notes with the Defendant.

(2) Notice; (3) Correspondences; (3) Affidavit of T.C. Nuttall; Costs; (3) Order; Affidavit of W.M. Ehner; Costs of Defendant; Summons; Affidavit of W. Wilson; Bill of Costs; Bills of Costs taxed under reference.

-Cohen had a fire at this business for which he was insured and covered by the Phoenix Fire Assurance Company. The two aprties appear to be disputing over their costs and extent of coverage.

Bill of Complaint; Affidavit of Adams; Affidavit of Bennett; Bill of Costs.

-The Plaintiff is a bridge builder, the Defendant is a carpenter and joiner. The Defendant was contracted with the government of B.C. to build a bridge across the Quesnel River and asked the Plaintiff, who agreed, to work with him for a share in the profits and a partnership agreement. The Plaintiff ended up doing all of the work. The Defendant was paid in full, but would not disclose his accounts of the costs of construction. The Plaintiff believes that if her were to see these accounts, a considerable balance would be owed to him by the Defendant.

Promise to Pay; Writ of Summons; Copy of Judges notes; Exhibit "B" - Agreement; Affidavit of Service and Order; Affidavit of L.D. Williams; Bill of Costs.

-Plaintiff had recovered a judgment against the Defendant for $155.25 and costs on an unpaid promissory note for which he never received payment. the Defendant has since fled to the United States.

(2) Decision of Fence Viewers.

-Viewers have been nominated to view and arbitrate on the "water courses" on the lands of Mr. R. Brown and in which water courses the under-mentioned parties are more or less benefited by R. Brown, J. Sluggett, S. Alphonse, G. Butler and the Bank of British Columbia, between the lands of which parties the water the courses are to be made and maintained.

Bill of Costs; Replication; Affidavit of S.P. Mills; Amended Account; Affidavit of Mr. Thomson; Summons; Affidavit of C.W.R. Thomson; Appointment of Mssrs. Crake and Jackson; Affidavit of R.E. Jackson; Bill of Complaint; Chief Clerk Notes.

-Defendants are indebted to the Plaintiffs for $18,560 for principal and interest due on an account between them for the conveyance of land in the District of nelson, Vancouver Island (1,064 acres). The Defendants are in possession of the said premises but have not paid their debt.

Affidavit of W.M. Drake.

-Regarding the Writ of Certiorari issued in the case.

File consists of three documents: an affidavit of J.R. Stewart and correspondence regarding the purchase of the cargo of the ship "Shamrock," wherein the Defendant does not own up to the contract.

File consists of one document: an affidavit of McDowell regarding an unpaid promissory note.

File consists of four documents: writ; affidavit of service; bill of costs; and judgment by default of appearance. Case regards the Defendant owing the Plaintiff $272 for debt and costs on an unpaid promissory note.

File consists of fourteen documents: particulars of demand; correspondence; summons; affidavit of H.B. Aickman; issue; appointment to examine; witnesses oath; commissioners oath; record; claim; affidavit of R. Bishop; and affidavit of J.M. McCreight. Case regards the Defendant's entitlement to be paid a certain debt due to him from the B.C. Royal Mail Stage Company Ltd. The Defendant falsely presented to the Plaintiff that the said debt amounted to $702.58 and fraudulently induced the Plaintiff into an agreement in which he paid the Defendant $702.58 when, in reality, the Company owed the Defendant $348.13. The Plaintiff is claiming damages of $500.

File consists of three documents: write of summons; bill of costs; and judgment by default. Case regards Plaintiff's claim of $206 principal due to him as payee on a promissory note and $22.50 for costs.

File consists of ten documents: order; Defendant's costs for taxation; affidavit of W.S. Green; judgment; judgment roll; speaker's certificate; affidavit of N. Jacob; costs of petitioner; and affidavit of R.W. Torrens. Case regards the Plaintiff suing for money owed to him by the Defendant in the amount of $400.

File consists of three documents: writ; affidavit of service; and judgment by default. Case regards the Plaintiff's claim of $139.87 for debt and $17.50 for costs on an unpaid account from the Defendant.

File consists of six documents: judgment by default; bill of costs; writ; affidavit of service; appearance; and order to hold to bail. Case regards the Plaintiff's claim of $1,310.26 for debt and $17.50 for costs.