Sheriffs Act, 1755

Officers concealing themselves when sent for to take bail; no sub-sheriff or clerk shall take more than legal fees. Penalty 100l. on complaint, and proof before the court, to be estreated.

III. And whereas great cruelties and impositions are daily committed by the sub-sheriffs and sheriffs clerks concealing themselves, when sent for to take bail, in order to extort exorbitant fees: for remedy whereof be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, That from and after the first day of May, which shall be in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and fifty six, no sub-sheriff or sheriffs clerk shall take any more than their legal fees; and upon complaint thereof, and due proof made before the court out of which such writ issued, such sub-sheriff, or sheriffs clerk or clerks, shall for every such offence forfeit and pay the sum of one hundred pounds; which said penalty shall be, and the said court (out of which such writ issued) is hereby impowered and required to have, estreated into his Majesty's Exchequer.