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53 
REFORMS NEEDED IN CRIMINAL PROCEDURE 
By H. A. LEDIARD, M.D., Epin.; F.R.C.S., Ena. 
(Read at Penrith, Fune, 1892. ) 
REFORMS in the Criminal Procedure of our Courts of Justice have 
been imminent for many years; discussions have been held in 
Parliament, Royal Commissions have sat, judges have met in con- 
sultation, but as yet nothing of importance has been effected, 
except, perhaps, that the ground has been cleared, and future 
progress thereby facilitated. 
That reform is needed goes without saying; indeed, all high 
legal authorities are in favour of several alterations, but such has 
been the pressure of business in Parliament that delay has been 
inevitable. In this short paper it is intended to point out where 
our present system has been found wanting, and to indicate the 
direction which reform in criminal procedure is likely to take. The 
subject is not one in which I am naturally interested, nor is it one 
in which I can claim any special knowledge, and were it not that 
certain circumstances have, so to speak, forced themselves upon 
my view, it is highly probable that I should not have paid any 
attention at all to reform in criminal procedure. On the other 
hand, questions relating to medical jurisprudence are a part of the 
training of every medical man, and therefore all reforms in law 
have a practical bearing upon the medical profession at large. 
For my hearers to-day my subject may not only appear ill-chosen, 
but absolutely wanting in interest. I am aware of the difficulty, 
and if I ask your attention it is because I hope to attract your 
