John Angus applied to become a notary-public. He advanced through the application process until it was time for the court to approve his appointment, at which time a group of writers challenged his fitness for the office. They alleged that he had become bankrupt several times, was of a suspicious character, had come late to the profession, and lacked the requisite knowledge. The writers argued that this combination of factors was sufficient to defeat Angus’s application, even though no one factor was fatal. Angus argued that there was no evidence of dishonesty in his business dealings, and that his qualifications had been properly certified. He also argued that it was inappropriate for the court to conduct a sum-total analysis of the objections.
Numerous legal professionals participated in this case and are named in the case documents.
William Morison, The Decisions of the Court of Session (1811), pg. 13137
