Legal Term Dictionary

Search our free database of thousands of legal terms. The easiest-to-read, most user-friendly guide to legal terms.This dictionary is from the early 20th century and is not to be construed as legal advice.

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  • BASTARDY PROCESS
    The method provided by statute of proceeding against the putative father to secure a proper maintenance for the bastard.
  • BASTON
    In old English law, a baton, club, or staff. A term applied to officers of the wardens of the prison called the "Fleet," because of the staff carried by them. Cowell; Spelman; Termes de la Ley.
  • BATABLE-GROUND
    Land that is in controversy, or about the possession of which there is a dispute, as the lands which were situated between England and Scotland before the Union. Skene.
  • BATAILLE
    In old English law. Battel; the trial by combat or duellum.
  • BATH, KNIGHTS OF THE
    In English law. A military order of knighthood, instituted by Richard II. The order was newly regulated by notifications in the London Oasette of 25th May, 1847, and 16th August, 1850. Wharton
  • BATIMENT
    In French marine law. A vessel or ship.
  • BATONNIER
    The chief of the French bar in its various centres, who presides in the council of discipline. Arg. Fr. Merc. LAW, 546.
  • BATTEL
    Trial by combat; wager of battel.
  • BATTEL, WAGER OF
    In old English law. A form of trial anciently used in military cases, arising in the court of chivalry and honor, in appeals of felony, In criminal cases, and in the obsolete real action called a "writ of action." The question at issue was decided by the result of a More...
  • BATTERY
    Any unlawful beating, or ether wrongful physical violence or constraint, inflicted on a human being without his consent 2 Bish. Crim. Law, § 71; Good-rum v. State, 60 Ga. 511; Razor v. Kinsey, 55 111. App. 614; Lamb v. State, 67 Md. 524, 10 Atl. 209, 298; Hunt v. People, More...
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