James Manning (lawyer)

James Manning (1781–1866) was an English barrister, serjeant-at-law and law writer.

Manning, born in 1781 in Exeter, was son of James Manning, a Unitarian minister, by his wife Lydia, daughter of John Edge of Bristol. He early acquired a familiarity with history, antiquities, and the European languages. He was called to the Bar at Lincoln's Inn on 23 June 1817, and went the Western circuit, of which he was for many years the leader.

His reputation rested mainly upon his learning. He was no orator, and his powers of advocacy were slight; but as a junior he obtained much business. By his knowledge of copyhold law he secured a perpetual retainer from the lord of the manor of Taunton Dean, Somerset, whose rights were the subject of continual litigation. He enjoyed the friendship of Lords Brougham and Denman, and rendered them assistance in the defence of Queen Caroline.

Following the passing of the Reform Act in 1832 Manning was appointed as a revising barrister in which office he served the Borough of Newport in the Isle of Wight. He was appointed recorder of Sudbury in 1836, and recorder of Oxford and Banbury in November 1837, three offices which he held till his death.

He was raised to the degree of a serjeant-at-law on 19 February 1840, received a patent of precedence in April 1845, and was made Queen's ancient sergeant in 1846. This dignity, revived at his own suggestion after a long interval of dormancy, entitled him to a seat in the House of Lords ex officio, but gave him no right of speaking, unless consulted, or of voting.

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