19. The Circuit Courtin held by one of'the judges Of the superior or one of the judges of the circuit court. Of the latter class there are not to be more than nine in all, and in case of vacancies the gov ernor, in his discretion, is to appoint from among the advocates of five years' standing. These judges are ex officio justices of the peace and chairmen. of general: quarter sessions.
This court has cognizance of all civil suits for less than fifty pound's, and where the amount is not over fifteen pounds may decide in a summary Manner, and' if the amount be not over Jive shil lings and sixpence, according to equity and good conscience. A jury may be demanded if the ques tion refers to land; s.nd the defendant may in such case evoke the cause to the superior court. This court may issue writs of habeas corpus, and hear and determine the same. Three or more terms of this court are held annually in each circuit, of which there arc several in each judicial district.
In the. province of Gaspe the superior court has the criminal jurisdiction of the court of Queen's Bench. The court for this purpose may be held
by the number of superior and circuit judges necessary to make a quorum, of whom not more than two are to be circuit judges.
The Court of General or Quarter Sessions may be held by any circuit judge or two justices of the peace, of whom he shall be one, or by two or more justices of the peace in his absence. Two terms are held annually, and in Qnebeo, Montreal, and Three Rivers four.
20. The Notaries of the province are incorporated into boards, with presidents and other officers, and power to admit and control the conduct of mem bers. Their powers end duties are subtantially those of the French notaries. Each of them is to number all deeds passed by him, and take and preserve full notes of the same; and his repertory, minutes, and index are to be transmitted to board of notaries at his death, interdiction, or re moval from office or the province.
A Viee-Admiralty Court exists in each province„ held by an admiralty judge. It has the jurisdic tion of the English courts Of admiralty.