Common law is the title given to laws which have not originated in any statute, but derive their force and authority from having been in use for many centuries.  The common law of England, upon which the common law of Virginia is based, includes customs of the people of such long standing that the courts took notice of them and gave them the force of law.  Common law is the unwritten law; statute law consists of the laws enacted and recorded by legislatures.

Law and Equity Court of the City of Richmond.

Judge elected by the General Assembly for a term of eight years. 
Salary, $3,500.

Qualifications.  Same as those of a Circuit Judge.  Terms.  Shall hold four terms each year, beginning the second Monday in February, May, September, and December, continuing as long as the business of the Court may require.

For equity, see under Circuit Courts, page 50.

Jurisdiction.  Shall exercise within the corporate limits original jurisdiction concurrent with the Chancery Court (except as to the probate and record of wills; the appointment and qualification of fiduciaries; the ex parte settlement of their accounts; the record of deeds and other papers authorized or required by law to be recorded).  Shall have within the same limits original jurisdiction concurrent with the Circuit Court, except all such suits, motions, etc., as are specially cognizable by said Court;—­has the same power as to bail, injunctions, etc., as the Circuit Court, and appeals from its decrees and judgments shall be taken and allowed as if from a Circuit Court.  This Court has no criminal jurisdiction.

Ex parte is a Latin phrase signifying from or on one side only.  An ex parte hearing in court would be a hearing taken by one side or party in the absence of the other.  An ex parte settlement is settlement made on the application of one party without notice to the other.

Questions.

1.  Where are corporation courts held?

2.  What is the term of office of a corporation’s court judge, and what salary does he receive?

3.  What are the qualifications of a corporation’s court judge?

4.  How often are corporation courts held?

5.  What is the jurisdiction of these courts?

6.  How long do city judges hold office, and what salaries do they receive?

7.  What does within their respective limits mean?

8.  What is the judge who sits in a justice’s court called?

 9.  What is the jurisdiction of justices’ courts?

10.  Define damages.

11.  Define unlawful entry.

12.  What does unlawful detainer mean?

13.  Define detinue.

14.  Define warrant and search warrant.

15.  What is a bail-bond?

16.  What is concurrent jurisdiction?