VPRS 1711 Regulation Cash Books

The Master in Equity was responsible for the administration of the Supreme Court in Equity as well as holding various other positions. In 1883 under the Judicature Act the position of Prothonotary of the Supreme Court (VA 433) was established to relieve the Master in Equity of the administration of matters not related to Equity. The Prothonotary later assumed responsibility for the Equity functions of the Master in Equity. The Master in Equity from 1867 to 1923 also acted as Master in Lunacy with considerable responsibilities under the Lunacy Act.The Master in Equity as administrator of the Supreme Court in Equity, as Registrar with responsibility for settling decrees and orders, as Taxing Officer and Accountant arranging the payment of costs and other business of the Court, as Custodian of Wills and as Master in Lunacy was responsible for the receipt of money involved in the settlement of cases and deceased estates and the administration of estates and its disbursement to designated recipients. He was also subject to the provisions of the Audit Act.This series consists of the Regulation Cash Books kept to record the receipt of payments for searches and for the filing and issuing of documents in the various jurisdictions for which the Supreme Court and the Master held responsibility. For the period until 1883 this involved Equity and for the whole period the Ecclesiastical (to do with the granting of probate or letters of administration). Until 1859, there was also the collection of fees in Insolvency cases. Units 12 14 and Unit 20 are solely concerned with recording cash receipts in matters to do with Lunacy and Duties on Deceased Estates. Details include the name of the person, the reason for the charge and the amount. Details are given of the amounts transferred to the Treasury or the Receiver of Revenue.Unit 1 of the P1 consignment was previously registered as Unit 9 of VPRS 1599 Cash Books.