Arthur Kekewich

Public policy does not admit of definition and is not easily explained. It is a variable quantity; it must vary and does vary with the habits, capacities, and opportunities of the public.

— Arthur Kekewich

It is to my mind much to be regretted, and it is a regret which I believe every Judge on the bench shares, that text-books are more and more quoted in Court—I mean, of course, text-books by living authors—and some Judges have gone so far as to say that they shall not be quoted.

— Arthur Kekewich

This seems to me to be one of those cases in which the Court is bound to arrive at a conclusion without having any satisfactory means of arriving at it. The only guide I have is this. I am entitled to sit in the testator's chair as he wrote his own will.

— Arthur Kekewich

I think that the proper and safe course is to follow a decision of a Court of co-ordinate jurisdiction, unless some cogent reason is given to the contrary.

— Arthur Kekewich

It is the right of her Majesty's subjects to make claims and to have them tried in the constitutional way.

— Arthur Kekewich

Motives do not concern me; they are a dangerous subject with which to deal.

— Arthur Kekewich

The difficulty which I feel as a Judge, and always felt at the Bar, is this: a defendant is entitled to put his back against the wall and to fight from every available point of advantage.

— Arthur Kekewich

I am always afraid of quoting my own decisions; I do not think it is the right thing for a judge to do, but I often do refer to them when I can thereby avoid repeating in different words what I have said before.

— Arthur Kekewich

A decision of the House of Lords requires no sanction.

— Arthur Kekewich

Masterly inactivity may be prudence to one man, desperate rashness to another.

— Arthur Kekewich

Born and bred, so to say, in Chancery, I have a strong leaning towards the rule of the Court of Chancery, of requiring full discovery.

— Arthur Kekewich

I have said frequently, and I repeat it, that there is no Judge on the bench who is more willing to allow amendments, even at the last moment, than I, provided there is no surprise.

— Arthur Kekewich

It is impossible for us English lawyers, dealing with the English language, to express our views except in the technical language of our law.

— Arthur Kekewich

I wish to uphold counsel in the exercise of their discretion.

— Arthur Kekewich

I must look at the decision with reference to all the circumstances which led to it.

— Arthur Kekewich

Any man who spends his income, whether large or small, benefits the community by putting money in circulation.

— Arthur Kekewich

Experience tells us that sometimes, when minorities insist on their rights, they ultimately prevail.

— Arthur Kekewich

I do not think I can pass over the distinct words of Sir George Jessel, who knew practice as thoroughly as any Judge who ever sat on the bench.

— Arthur Kekewich

Decisions in the American Courts are entitled to great respect, but are not binding here; and there are many circumstances affecting questions arising between the laws of different States which may or may not be applicable to questions arising here.

— Arthur Kekewich