AN ACT For Turning the BOOKS of the LAW , And all Proces and Proceedings in Courts of Iustice , INTO ENGLISH .

The Parliament have thought fit to Declare and Enact , and be it Declared and Enacted by this present Parliament , and by the Authority of the same , That all the Report-Books of the Resolutions of Iudges , and other Books of the Law of England , shall be Translated into the English Tongue : And that from and after the first day of January , One thousand six hundred and fifty , All Report-Books of the Resolutions of Iudges , and all other Books of the Law of England , which shall be Printed , shall be in the English Tongue onely . And be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid , That from and after the First Return of Easter Term , which shall be in the year One thousand six hundred fifty and one , All Writs , Proces and Returns thereof , and all Pleadings , Rules , Orders , Indictments , Inquisitions , Certificates ; and all Patents , Commissions , Records , Iudgements , Statutes , Recognizances , Rolls , Entries , and Proceedings of Courts Leet , Courts Baron , and Customary Courts , and all Proceedings whatsoever in any Courts of Iustice within this Commonwealth , and which concerns the Law , and Administration of Iustice , shall be in the English Tongue onely , and not in Latine or French , or any other Language then English , Any Law , Custom or Usage heretofore to the contrary notwithstanding . And that the same , and every of them , shall be written in an ordinary , usual and legible Hand and Character , and not in any Hand commonly called Court-hand . And be it lastly Enacted and Ordained , That all and every person and persons offending against this Law , shall for every such Offence lose and forfeit the full Sum of Twenty pounds of lawful English Money ; The one Moyety thereof to the Use of the Commonwealth , and the other Moyety to such person and persons as will sue for the same in any Court of Record , by Action of Debt , Suit , Bill , Plaint or Information ; in which no Wager of Law , Essoign , or other Delay shall be admitted or allowed .