he practised on the oxford circuit and published a volume of law reports jointly with william oldnall russell titled "crown cases reserved for consideration; and decided by the twelve judges of england, from the year 1799 to the year 1824" before being appointed a puisne judge in the calcutta supreme court in bengal, then an english colony ("see: company rule in india, 1757–1857: justice system"), an appointment which carried the customary knighthood.