The fact is, Lord Coke had no authority for what he states, but I am afraid we should get rid of a good deal of what is considered law...if what Lord Coke says without authority is not law. He was one of the most eminent lawyers who ever presided as a judge in any court of justice, and what is said by such a person is good evidence of what the law is, particularly when it is in conformity with justice and common sense.
Rex v. Casement, 1 K.B. 98, 142 (1917) (Dowling, J.) (Quoting Garland v. Jekyll, 2 Bing. 296 (1824) (Atkin, J.)).
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