Arthur James Johnes

Arthur James Johnes (4 February 1809 – 23 July 1871) was a Welsh county court judge.

Biography

Johnes was born on 4 February 1809, the only son of Edward Johnes of Garthmyl, near Montgomery, by Mary, daughter of Thomas Davies of Llifior. He was educated at Oswestry grammar school, and at the university of London (now University College) when it was opened in 1828. After attending the lectures of Austin and Andrew Amos, Johnes won at the end of the session 1828–9 the first 'highest prize' and certificate of honour granted by the university (London University Calendar for 1831, p. 203). He was admitted member of Lincoln's Inn on 27 January 1830, was called to the bar on 30 January 1835 and afterwards practised as an equity draughtsman and conveyancer. On the establishment of county courts in 1847 Johnes became judge of the district comprising all North-west Wales and a considerable part of South Wales. This office he held until December 1870. He died on 23 July 1871 and was buried in the parish of Berriew.

As a legal writer Johnes was much influenced by the writings of Bentham. He advocated in various pamphlets, issued between 1834 and 1869, the fusion of law and equity, the establishment of local courts for the recovery of small debts, the extension of the jurisdiction and the improvement of the procedure of the county courts, the abolition of imprisonment for debt, reform of the bankruptcy laws, and even such a fusion of the two branches of the legal profession as would enable clients to retain barristers themselves. Some of these proposals he lived to see adopted.