Strange Laws -Breaking Plates to Take an Oath
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An obscure nook of English law allows Chinese witnesses to swear an oath by cracking a saucer in court, with a legal clerk declaring: “The saucer is cracked and if you do not tell the truth, your soul will be cracked like the saucer.” The practice arose in the 19th century by Chinese seamen in London who weren’t accustomed to the Western concept of judicial oaths. So they came up with something theatrical but sincere to keep lawyers happy. 
I suppose with tea being so sacred to the chinese they wouldn't dare break the cup M
telmel Probably knock em up cheap someplace .In China they probably look after their china cos might be worth a bob or two 
A ridiculous story. How long or how many weeks was these people allowed to do this in an English court for?
This features in a 1945 British film called “Murder In Reverse”. Whether there is any basis in reality is another thing.
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