Legal Term Dictionary

In the feudal polity, the serfs were a class of persons whose social condition was servile, and who were bound to labor and onerous duties at the will of their lords. They differed from slaves only in that they were bound to their native soil, instead of being the absolute More...

In the feudal polity, the serfs were a class of persons whose social condition was servile, and who were bound to labor and onerous duties at the will of their lords. They differed from slaves only in that they were bound to their native soil, instead of being the absolute property of a master. Less...

In military law. A noncommissioned officer, of whom there are several in each company of infantry, troop of cavalry, etc. The term is also used in the organization of a municipal police force. -Sergeant at arms. See SERJEANT.-Sergeant at law. See SERJEANT.-Town sergeant. In several states, an officer having- the More...

In military law. A noncommissioned officer, of whom there are several in each company of infantry, troop of cavalry, etc. The term is also used in the organization of a municipal police force. -Sergeant at arms. See SERJEANT.-Sergeant at law. See SERJEANT.-Town sergeant. In several states, an officer having- the powers and duties of a chief constable or bead of the police department of a town or village. Less...

Lat Severally; separately; individually; one by one.

Lat Severally; separately; individually; one by one. Less...

Important; weighty; momentous, and not trifling; as in the phrases "serious bodily harm," "serious personal injury**' etc. Lawlor v. People, 74 111. 231; Union Mut. L. Ins. Go. v. Wilkinson, 13 Wail. 230, 20 L. Ed. 617.

Important; weighty; momentous, and not trifling; as in the phrases "serious bodily harm," "serious personal injury**' etc. Lawlor v. People, 74 111. 231; Union Mut. L. Ins. Go. v. Wilkinson, 13 Wail. 230, 20 L. Ed. 617. Less...

The same word etymologic-ally with "sergeant," but the latter spelling is more commonly employed in the designation of military and police officers, (see SERGEANT,) while the former is preferred when the term is used to describe certain grades of legal practitioners and certain officers of legislative bodies. See infra. -Common More...

The same word etymologic-ally with "sergeant," but the latter spelling is more commonly employed in the designation of military and police officers, (see SERGEANT,) while the former is preferred when the term is used to describe certain grades of legal practitioners and certain officers of legislative bodies. See infra. -Common Serjeant. A judicial officer attached to the corporation of the city of London, who assists the recorder in disposing of the crimina] business at the Old Bailey sessions, or central criminal court Brown.-Serjeant at arms. An executive officer appointed by, and attending on, a legislative body, whose principal duties are to execute its warrants, preserve order, and arrest offenders.-Serjeant at law. A barrister of the common-law courts of high standing, and of much the same rank as a doctor of law is in the ecclesiastical courts. These Serjeants seem to have derived their title from the old knights templar, (among whom there existed a peculiar class under the denomination of "frerea aergena," or "fratrea aervientes") and to have continued as a separate fraternity from a very early period in the history of the legal profession. The barristers who first assumed the old monastic title were those who practiced In the court of common pleas, and until a recent period (the 25th of April, 1834, 9 & 10 Vict c. 54) the Serjeants at law always had the exclusive privilege of practice in that court. Every judge of a common-law court, previous to his elevation to the bench, used to be created a Serjeant at law; but since the judicature act this is no longer necessary. Brown.-Serjeant of tbe mace. In English law. An officer who attends the lord mayor of London, and the chief magistrates of other corporate towns. Holthouse.-Serjeants' Inn. The inn to which the Serjeants at law belonged, near Chancery lane; formerly called "Faryndon Inn." Serjeantia idem est qnod sorvitinm. Co. litt 105. Serjeanty is the same as service. Less...

A species of tenure by knight service, which was due to the king only, and was distinguished into grand and petit serjeanty. The tenant holding by grand serjeanty was bound, Instead of attending the king generally in his wars, to do some honorary service to the king in person, as More...

A species of tenure by knight service, which was due to the king only, and was distinguished into grand and petit serjeanty. The tenant holding by grand serjeanty was bound, Instead of attending the king generally in his wars, to do some honorary service to the king in person, as to carry his banner or sword, or to be his butler, champion, or other officer at his coronation. Petit serjeanty differed from grand serjeanty, in that the service rendered to the king was not of a personal nature, but consisted in rendering him annually some small implement of war, as a bow, sword, arrow, lance, or the like. Cowell; Brown. Less...

In old English law. Oath; an oath. Sermo index animi. 5 Coke, 118. 'Speech hi an Index of the mind. Sermo relatns ad personam intelligi debet de eonditiono persona). Language which la referred to a person ought to be understood of tbe condition of the person. 4 Coke, 16. Sermones More...

In old English law. Oath; an oath. Sermo index animi. 5 Coke, 118. 'Speech hi an Index of the mind. Sermo relatns ad personam intelligi debet de eonditiono persona). Language which la referred to a person ought to be understood of tbe condition of the person. 4 Coke, 16. Sermones semper m aceipiendi snnt se-enndnm snbjeotam materlam, et conditionem personaram. 4 Coke, 14. Language is always to be understood according to its subject-matter, and the condition of the persons. Less...

A test for insanity by means of the breaking up of the red corpuscles of the blood of the suspected person on the injection of the venom of cobras or other serpents; recently employed in judicial proceedings la some European countries and in Japan.

A test for insanity by means of the breaking up of the red corpuscles of the blood of the suspected person on the injection of the venom of cobras or other serpents; recently employed in judicial proceedings la some European countries and in Japan. Less...

Notched, on the edge; cut In notches like the teeth of a saw. This was anciently the method of trimming the top or edge of a deed of indenture.. See INDENT

Notched, on the edge; cut In notches like the teeth of a saw. This was anciently the method of trimming the top or edge of a deed of indenture.. See INDENT Less...

in feudal law, was where a tenant, besides payment of a certain rent, found one or more workmen for his lord's service. Tomlins. Servanda est eonsnetndo loei nbi eansa agitnr. The custom of the place where the action hi brought is to be observed. 0e> couche v. Savetier, 3 Johns. More...

in feudal law, was where a tenant, besides payment of a certain rent, found one or more workmen for his lord's service. Tomlins. Servanda est eonsnetndo loei nbi eansa agitnr. The custom of the place where the action hi brought is to be observed. 0e> couche v. Savetier, 3 Johns. Ch, (N. Y.) 190, 210, 8 Am. Dec. 478. Less...