Catalogue description Records of the Official Referees

Due largely to the recommendations of the Judicature Commission 1869 the Supreme Court of Judicature Act 1873 provided for the attachment to the Supreme Court of permanent officers, to be called Official Referees, for the settlement of such questions as might be directed by the court or the judge to be tried by them. The purpose of such references was to facilitate proceedings where arbitration was appropriate and to deal with causes or matters requiring prolonged examination of documents or accounts, or cases requiring scientific or local investigations, which could not conveniently be made before a jury or dealt with by the officers of the court in the normal way.

The Official Referees were required to carry out their duties in such places, whether in London or in the country, as directed by the High Court or the Court of Appeal.

Under the Courts Act 1971 no further appointments are made to the office of official referee but the Lord Chancellor is empowered to secure the discharge of Official Referees' business by the appointment of such of the Circuit Judges as he might determine. Under the same act the persons holding office as Official Referees on 1 January 1972 also became Circuit Judges.