Charles Viner (jurist)

Charles Viner (1678 – 1756) was an English jurist, best known for his voluminous abridgement of English law, A General Abridgement of Law and Equity.

Born in Aldershot, Hampshire, Viner was educated at Hart Hall, Oxford, but left without taking a degree. He spent much of his life compiling his abridgement, a work that aimed to organize and synthesize English legal principles. The first volume appeared in 1741, with subsequent volumes published until 1751.

A General Abridgement of Law and Equity was significant for its sheer size and comprehensiveness. While not entirely original, it drew upon existing legal compilations and case reports, attempting to bring them together in a systematic fashion. It was widely consulted by lawyers and students, despite criticisms of its organization and redundancies.

Viner bequeathed the copyright and profits from his abridgement to the University of Oxford, establishing the Vinerian Professorship of English Law and the Vinerian Scholarships. William Blackstone was appointed the first Vinerian Professor in 1758 and used Viner's abridgement extensively in preparing his own Commentaries on the Laws of England. Thus, Viner's legacy significantly shaped the development of English legal education and scholarship.