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The King v. Dr. Purnell

96 Eng. Rep. 20 (1748)

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The King v. Dr. Purnell

England and Wales High Court of Justice
96 Eng. Rep. 20 (1748)

  • Written by Arlyn Katen, JD

Facts

Dr. Purnell (defendant) was the vice chancellor of Oxford University. The attorney-general alleged that Dr. Purnell neglected his duties as vice chancellor and justice of the peace by not punishing two people who made treasonous comments at Oxford. The king’s counsel (plaintiff) moved for the court to direct the university to permit inspection of its books, records and archives, in order to build the king’s prosecution of Dr. Purnell. The king’s counsel claimed that the king is a visitor of the university with a right to inspect its books. Oxford University contested the ability of “the lowest agent of the Crown” to search its books based upon the king’s general interest in a prosecution of one of the university’s agents.

Rule of Law

Issue

Holding and Reasoning (Lee, C.J.)

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