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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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BILATERAL CONTRACT
A term, used originally in the civil law, but now generally adopted, denoting a contract in which both the contracting parties are bound to fulfill obligations reciprocally towards each other; as a contract of sale, where one becomes bound to deliver the thing sold, and the other to pay the More...

A term, used originally in the civil law, but now generally adopted, denoting a contract in which both the contracting parties are bound to fulfill obligations reciprocally towards each other; as a contract of sale, where one becomes bound to deliver the thing sold, and the other to pay the price of it Montpeller Seminary v. Smith, 68 Vt 382, 38 Atl. 66. "Every convention properly so called consists of a promise or mutual promises proffered and accepted. Where one only of the agreeing parties gives a promise, the convention is said to be 'unilateral.' Wherever mutual promises are proffered and accepted, there are, in strictness, two or more conventions. But where the performance of either of the promises is made to depend on the performance of the other, the several conventions are commonly deemed one convention, and the convention is then said to be "bilateral." Aust. Jur. § 308. Less...
BILGED
In admiralty law and marine insurance. That state or condition of a vessel in which water is freely admitted through holes and breaches made in the planks of the bottom, occasioned by injuries, whether the ship's timbers are broken or not. Peele v. Insurance Co., 3 Mason, 27, 39, 19 More...

In admiralty law and marine insurance. That state or condition of a vessel in which water is freely admitted through holes and breaches made in the planks of the bottom, occasioned by injuries, whether the ship's timbers are broken or not. Peele v. Insurance Co., 3 Mason, 27, 39, 19 Fed. Cas. 103. Less...
BILINE
A word used by Britton in the sense of "collateral." En line biline, In the collateral line. Britt c. 119.

A word used by Britton in the sense of "collateral." En line biline, In the collateral line. Britt c. 119. Less...
BILINGUIS
Of a double language or tongue; that can speak two languages. A term applied in the old books to a jury composed partly of Englishmen and partly of foreigners, which, by the English law, an alien party to a suit is, in certain cases, entitled to; more commonly called a More...

Of a double language or tongue; that can speak two languages. A term applied in the old books to a jury composed partly of Englishmen and partly of foreigners, which, by the English law, an alien party to a suit is, in certain cases, entitled to; more commonly called a "jury de medietate lingue." 3 BL Comm. 360 ; 4 Steph. Comm. 422. Less...
BILL
A formal declaration, complaint, or statement of particular things in writing. As a legal term, this word has many meanings and applications, the more important of which are enumerated below. 1. A formal written statement of complaint to a court of justice. In the ancient practice of the court of More...

A formal declaration, complaint, or statement of particular things in writing. As a legal term, this word has many meanings and applications, the more important of which are enumerated below. 1. A formal written statement of complaint to a court of justice. In the ancient practice of the court of king's bench, the usual and orderly method of beginning an action was by a bill, or original bill, or plaint This was a written statement of the plaintiff's cause of action, like a declaration or complaint, and always alleged a trespass as the ground of it, in order to give the court Jurisdiction. 3 Bl. Comm. 43. In Scotch law, every summary application in writing, by way of petition to the Court of Session, is called a "bill." Cent. Diet -Bill chamber. In Scotch law. A department of the court of session in which petitions for suspension, interdict, etc., are entertained. It is equivalent to sittings in chambers in the English and American practice. Paters. Comp. -Bill of privilege. In old English law. A method of proceeding against attorneys Less...
BILLA
L. Lat. A bill; an original bill -Billa excambii. A bill of exchange.-Billa exonerationis. A bill of lading.-Billa vera. (A true bill.) In old practice. The indorsement anciently made on a bill of indictment by a grand jury, when they found it sufficiently sustained by evidence. 4 Bl. Comm. 306.

L. Lat. A bill; an original bill -Billa excambii. A bill of exchange.-Billa exonerationis. A bill of lading.-Billa vera. (A true bill.) In old practice. The indorsement anciently made on a bill of indictment by a grand jury, when they found it sufficiently sustained by evidence. 4 Bl. Comm. 306. Less...
BILLA CASSETUR, OR QUOD BILLA CASSETUR
(That the bill be quashed.) In practice. The form of the judgment rendered for a defendant on a plea In abatement, where the proceeding is by bill; that is, where the suit is commenced by capias, and not by. original writ. 2 Archb. Pr. K. B. 4.

(That the bill be quashed.) In practice. The form of the judgment rendered for a defendant on a plea In abatement, where the proceeding is by bill; that is, where the suit is commenced by capias, and not by. original writ. 2 Archb. Pr. K. B. 4. Less...
BILLET
A soldier's quarters in a civilian's house; or the ticket which authorizes him to occupy them. In French law. A bill or promissory note. Billet d ordre, a bill payable to order. Billet d vue, a bill payable at sight. Billet de complaisance, an accommodation bill. Billet de change, an More...

A soldier's quarters in a civilian's house; or the ticket which authorizes him to occupy them. In French law. A bill or promissory note. Billet d ordre, a bill payable to order. Billet d vue, a bill payable at sight. Billet de complaisance, an accommodation bill. Billet de change, an engagement to give, at a future time, a bill of exchange, which the party Is not at the time prepared to give. Story, Bills, § 2, n. Less...
BILLETA
In old English law. A bill or petition exhibited in parliament. Cowell.

In old English law. A bill or petition exhibited in parliament. Cowell. Less...
BI-METALLIC
Pertaining to, or consisting of, two metals used as money at a fixed relative value.

Pertaining to, or consisting of, two metals used as money at a fixed relative value. Less...

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