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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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NONSUIT
Not following up the cause; failure on the part of a plaintiff to continue the prosecution of his suit An abandonment or renunciation of his suit, by a plaintiff, either by omitting to take the next necessary steps, or voluntarily relinquishing the action, or pursuant to an order of the More...

Not following up the cause; failure on the part of a plaintiff to continue the prosecution of his suit An abandonment or renunciation of his suit, by a plaintiff, either by omitting to take the next necessary steps, or voluntarily relinquishing the action, or pursuant to an order of the court. An order or judgment, granted upon the trial of a cause, that the plaintiff has abandoned, or shall abandon, the further prosecution of his suit. A voluntary nonsuit is one incurred by the plaintiff's own act or omission, and is a judgment entered against him as a consequence of his abandoning or not following up his cause, or being absent when his presence is required. Sandoval v. Rosser, 86 Tex. 682, 26 S. W. 933; Deeley v. Heintz, 169 N. T. 129, 62 N. E. 158; Boyce v. Snow, 88 111. App. 405. An involuntary nonsuit is one which takes place when the plaintiff fails to appear when his case is before the court for trial or at the time when the jury are to deliver their verdict, or when he has given no evidence on which a jury may find a verdict, or when his case Is put out of court by some adverse ruling which precludes a recovery. Boyce v. Snow, 187 111. 181, 58 N. E. 408; Deeley v. Heintz, 160 N. Y. 129, 62 N. E. 158; Stults v. Forst, 135 Ind. 297, 34 N. E. 1125; Williams v. Finks, 156 Mo. 597, 57 S. W. 732. A peremptory nonsuit is a compulsory or involuntary nonsuit, ordered by the court upon a total failure of the plaintiff to substantiate his claim by evidence. Jacques v. Fourthman, 137 Pa. 428, 20 Atl. 802. Less...
NORMAN FRENCH
The tongue in which several formal proceedings of state In England are still carried on. The language, having remained the same since the date of the Conquest, at which it was introduced into England, is very different from the French of this day, retaining all the peculiarities which at that More...

The tongue in which several formal proceedings of state In England are still carried on. The language, having remained the same since the date of the Conquest, at which it was introduced into England, is very different from the French of this day, retaining all the peculiarities which at that time distinguished every province from the rest. A peculiar mode of pronunciation (considered authentic) is handed down and preserved by the officials who have, on particular occasions, to speak the tongue. Norman French was the language of English legal procedure till the 36 Edw. III. (A. D. 1362). Wharton. Less...
NORROY
In English law. The title of the third of the three kings-at-arms, or provincial heralds.

In English law. The title of the third of the three kings-at-arms, or provincial heralds. Less...
NORTHAMPTON TABLES
Longevity and annuity tables compiled from bills of mortality kept in All Saints parish, England, in 1735-1780. Nosoitar a soolis. It is known from Its associates. 1 Vent 225. The meaning of a word is or may be known from the accompanying words. 3 Term R. 87; Broom, Max. 588. More...

Longevity and annuity tables compiled from bills of mortality kept in All Saints parish, England, in 1735-1780. Nosoitar a soolis. It is known from Its associates. 1 Vent 225. The meaning of a word is or may be known from the accompanying words. 3 Term R. 87; Broom, Max. 588. Nosoitar ex socio, qui son cognoscitur ex se. Moore, 817. He who cannot be known from himself may be known from his associate. Less...
NOSOCOMI
In the civil law. Persons who have the management and care of hospitals for paupers.

In the civil law. Persons who have the management and care of hospitals for paupers. Less...
NOT FOUND
These words, indorsed on a bill of indictment by a grand jury, have the same effect as the Indorsement "Not a true bill" or "Ignoramus".

These words, indorsed on a bill of indictment by a grand jury, have the same effect as the Indorsement "Not a true bill" or "Ignoramus". Less...
NOT GUILTY
A plea of the general issue in the actions of trespass and case and in criminal prosecutions. The form of the verdict in criminal cases, where the jury acquit the prisoner. 4 Bl. Comm. 361.

A plea of the general issue in the actions of trespass and case and in criminal prosecutions. The form of the verdict in criminal cases, where the jury acquit the prisoner. 4 Bl. Comm. 361. Less...
NOT GUILTY BY STATUTE
In English practice. A plea of the general issue by a defendant in a civil * action, when he intends to give special matter in evidence by virtue of some act or acts of parliament, in which case he must add the reference to such act or acts, and state More...

In English practice. A plea of the general issue by a defendant in a civil * action, when he intends to give special matter in evidence by virtue of some act or acts of parliament, in which case he must add the reference to such act or acts, and state whether such acts are public or otherwise. But, if a defendant so plead, he will not be allowed to plead any other defense, without the leave of the court or a judge. Mozley A Whitley. Less...
NOT POSSESSED
A special traverse used in an action of trover, alleging that defendant was not possessed, at the time of action brought, of the chattels alleged to have been converted by him.

A special traverse used in an action of trover, alleging that defendant was not possessed, at the time of action brought, of the chattels alleged to have been converted by him. Less...
NOT PROVEN
A verdict In a Scotch criminal trial, to the effect that the guilt of the accused Is not made out, though his Innocence is not clear.

A verdict In a Scotch criminal trial, to the effect that the guilt of the accused Is not made out, though his Innocence is not clear. Less...

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