Lunacy Regulation (Ireland) Act 1871

2 Interpretation of terms.

In this Act, unless there be something in the subject matter or contents repugnant to the construction—

• The expression " the Lord Chancellor " shall be construed to mean the Lord High Chancellor of Ireland for the time being, and to include or be applicable to the Lord Keeper or Lords Commissioners for the custody of the Great Seal of the kingdom of Ireland for the time being:

• And the expression " the Lord Chancellor intrusted as aforesaid " shall be construed to mean the Lord High Chancellor of Ireland for the time being intrusted by virtue of the Queen's Sign Manual with the care and commitment of the custody of the persons and estates of persons found idiot, lunatic, or of unsound mind :

• And the expression " the master " shall, as to all matters in lunacy now pending in which a reference hath hitherto been made to any of the present masters of the Court of Chancery in Ireland, be construed to mean the master to whom the last reference in the said pending matter hath been made, or such other master of the said court to whom the Lord Chancellor intrusted as aforesaid shall by an order to be made in the matter of the said lunacy direct that future reference and application in the matter of the said lunacy shall be made, and shall as to all matters in lunacy to be hereafter commenced and instituted, and all matters in lunacy now pending in which no reference hath hitherto been made to any of the present masters of the court, be construed to mean the Receiver Master of the Court of Chancery in Ireland for the time being :

• And the expression " the registrar " shall be construed to mean the registrar in lunacy for the time being :

• And the expression " legal visitors " shall be construed to mean the legal visitors for the time being appointed by the Chancellor intrusted as aforesaid to perform the duties herein-after specified :

• And the expression " solicitor for minors and lunatics " shall be construed to mean the solicitor for minors and lunatics for the time being appointed by the Chancellor intrusted as aforesaid according to the practice in lunacy and minor matters in Ireland:

• And the word " land " shall be construed to comprehend any manor, messuage, tenement, hereditament, or real property of whatsoever tenure, and also property of every description transferable otherwise than in books kept by any company or society, or any share thereof or charge thereon, or estate or interest therein:

• And the word " stock " shall be construed to comprehend any fund, annuity, or security transferable in books kept by any company or society, or any money payable for the discharge or redemption thereof, or any share or interest therein:

• And the word " dividends " shall be construed to comprehend interest or other annual produce :

• And the provisions relating to " the Bank of Ireland, " save such as regard the lodgment of moneys to the credit of the lunacy fund herein-after mentioned, shall be construed to extend and be applicable to every other company or society established or to be established:

• And the word " conveyance " shall be construed to comprehend any release, surrender, assignment, or other assurance, including all acts, deeds, and things necessary for making and perfecting the same :

• And the word " transfer " shall be construed to comprehend any assignment, payment, or other disposition :

• And the word " lunatic " shall be construed to mean any person found by inquisition idiot, lunatic, or of unsound mind, and incapable of managing himself or his affairs :

• And the words " alleged lunatic " shall be construed to mean any person stated to be or treated as if he were a lunatic, or any person as to the fact of whose lunacy the Lord Chancellor intrusted as aforesaid shall think fit that inquiry should be had:

• And the words " person of weak mind " shall be construed to mean any person from any temporary cause or sickness affecting his mental capacity incapable of managing himself or his affairs :

• And an expression " next of kin " shall be construed to refer to the next of kin of a lunatic, and to comprehend his heir or heirs-at-law, and also the person or persons who would be entitled to his estate, or to shares thereof, under the statutes for the distribution of the effects of intestates, in case he were dead intestate:

• And the word " person " or " party " shall be construed to comprehend a body corporate.