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.

Search
  • SHORT LEASE
    A term applied colloquially, but without much precision, to a lease for a short term, (as a month or a year,) as distinguished from one running for a long period.
  • SHORT NOTICE
    In practice. Notice of less than the ordinary time ; generally of half that time. 2 Tidd, Pr. 757.
  • SHORT SUMMONS
    A process, authorised in some of the states, to he issued against an absconding, fraudulent, or nonresident debtor, which is returnable within a less number of days than an ordinary writ of summons.
  • SHORTFORD
    An old custom of the city of Exeter. A mode of foreclosing the right of a tenant by the chief lord of the fee, in cases of non-payment of rent Cowell.
  • SHOW
    Although the words "show" and "indicate" are sometimes interchangeable In popular use, they are not always so. To "show" is to make apparent or clear by evidence; to prove; while an "Indication" may he merely a symptom; that which points to or gives direction to the mind. Coyle v. Com., More...
  • SHOW CAUSE
    To show cause against a rule nisi, an order, decree, execution, etc., is to appear as directed, and present to the court such reasons and considerations aa one has to offer why it should not be confirmed, take effect, be executed, or aa the case may be.
  • SHRIEVALTY
    The office of sheriff; the period of that office.
  • SHYSTER
    A "pettifogging shyster" is an unscrupulous practitioner who disgraces his profession by doing mean work, and resorts to sharp practice to do it Bailey v. Kalamazoo Pub. Co., 40 Mich. 251. See, also, Grlbble v. Pioneer Press Co., 34 Minn. 342, 25 N. W. 710. Si a jure diseedas, vaams More...
  • SI ACTIO
    Lat. The conclusion of a plea to an action when the defendant demands judgment, if the plaintiff ought to have his action, etc. Obsolete. Si alienjns rei societas sit ot finis ne-aotio impositns est, finitnr sooietas. If there is a partnership in any matter, and the business is ended, the More...
  • SI ALIQUID SAPIT
    Lat If he knows anything; if he is not altogether devoid of reason. Si assuotis medori possla, nova nom snnt tentanda. If you can be relieved by accustomed remedies, new ones should not be tried 10 Coke, 142b. If an old wall can be repaired, a new one should not More...
Showing 420 of 1029