Charles II, 1670 & 1671: An Act for determination of Differences touching Houses burnt or demolished within fower yeares since the late dreadfull Fire of London

Reasons for passing this Act.

Differences about Houses within Bills of Mortality, demolished by Fire, to be determined by the Judges under 19 C. II. c. 2. (18 & 19 C. II. c.7.) 22 C. II. C. II.

Whereas there were severall Houses and Buildings in the Citty of London and Burrough of Southwarke and other places within the Weekely Bill of Mortality consumed by Fire or otherwise demolished by reason thereof betweene the first day of October One thousand six hundred sixty and six, and the first day of October One thousand six hundred and seaventy. Which by reason of some differences and doubts ariseing therein the same are not likely to be rebuilt unlesse some course be taken for the decideing of such differences. For Remedy whereof Bee it enacted by the Kings most Excellent Majestie by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spirituall and Temporall and the Commons in this present Parlyament assembled and by authoritie, of the same That the Justices of the Courts of Kings Bench and Common Pleas and the Barons of the Coife of the Exchequer for the time being or any three or more of them be, and are hereby authorized and impowered to heare and determine all such Cases, for all such Houses and Buildings as fully and amply and in like manner to all intents and purposes as they can or may heare and determine any other matter mentioned in one Act of this present Parlyament Entituled An Act for erecting a Judicature for determination of Differences touching Houses burned or demolished by reason of the late Fire which happened in London, and in another Act of this present Parlyament intituled, An Additionall Act for rebuilding of the Citty of London, uniteing of Parishes and rebuilding of the Cathedrall and Parochiall Churches within the said Citty or in either of them; And that all Decrees and Orders in such Cases to be made shall binde and be obeyed by all partyes therein concerned and shall be of like Effect and Force as any Orders [or (fn. 1) ] Decrees made for any matter or thing in the said recited Acts or either of them mentioned.

II. Longer Time given to the said Judicature.

And forasmuch as the Judicature by the said recited Acts appointed or either of them are to continue in force but untill the nine and twentyeth day of September One thousand six hundred seaventy and one, It is hereby further enacted and declared That the Judicature by the said recited Acts, and every Clause, Article and Thing therein mentioned or contained, relateing to the said Judicature, and all and every the Powers and Authorities thereby, or by either of them given to the said Justices and Barons or any three or more of them shall stand and be continued and remaine in full force untill the nine and twentyeth day of September One thousand six hundred seaventy and two, Any clause, matter or thing in the said Act or either of them contained to the contrary notwithstanding.

III. The Time limited for receiving Complaints.

And bee it enacted by the authoritie aforesaid That the said Judges and Barons shall and may receive any Complaint [and (fn. 2) ] Petition concerning any Differences or Demands by this, or the said recited Acts or either of them referred to the determination of the aforesaid Judicature, and proceede and determine the same soe as the said Complaints or Petitions be exhibited or depending before the said Judicature on or before the twenty ninth day of September One thousand six hundred seaventy and one, Any thing herein or any other Statute to the contrary notwithstanding.

IV. Lord Mayor, &c. when to dispose of Ground unbuilt.

Provided alwayes and it is hereby further enacted That the Maior, Aldermen, and Common Councell of the Citty of London shall not proceede to the Sale of any Ground or Soyle whereon any House was scituate at the time of the late dreadfull Fire for not building thereupon before the nine and twentyeth day of September which shall be in the yeare of our Lord One thousand six hundred seaventy and two, Any thing in this or the afore recited Acts or either of them to the contrary hereof notwithstanding.

V. Leases of the Savoy Ground not exceeding 40 Years may be granted by the Master and Chaplains.

And whereas the Brothers Lodgeings in the Savoy lately burnt downe are not by the Lawes and Statutes of this Land demiseable, for any long terme of yeares, Bee it therefore enacted by the authority aforesaid That for the encouragement of the present rebuilding the same, it shall and may be lawfull to and for the Master and Chaplaines of the Savoy to demise the said Lodgeings for any terme not exceeding forty yeares under such yearely Rent or Rents as the Master and Chaplaines can reasonably procure without renewing any time for the same. Any Law, Statute or Custome to the contrary notwithstanding.