 Under the strong and ruthless regime of the Earl of Strafford, Catlin played a key part in the administration of government.He sat regularly in the Court of Castle Chamber, the Irish equivalent of Star Chamber, notably in the case of alleged maladministration of Youghal College, a key test of the power of Strafford's opponent Richard Boyle, 1st Earl of Cork.In 1635 he led for the Crown in the inquisition to establish the Crown's title to lands in County Roscommon and was praised by Strafford for his good work.