Administration of Justice Act, 1707

No dilatory [plan] received, unless on affidavit or probable matter shewn.

XI. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, That from and after the said first day of Michaelmas term, no dilatory plea shall be received in any court of record, unless the party offering such plea do by affidavit prove the truth thereof, or shew some probable matter to the court, to induce them to believe that the fact of such dilatory plea is true.