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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  • WRIT OF SUMMONS
    The writ by which, under the English judicature acts, all actions are commenced.
  • WRIT OF TOLT
    In English law. The name of a writ to remove proceedings on a writ of right patent from the court-baron into the county court.
  • WRIT OF TRIAL
    In English law. A writ directing an action brought in a superior court to be tried in an inferior court or before the under sheriff, under St. 3 & 4 Wm. IV. c. 42. It is now superseded by the county courts act of 1867, c. 142, § 6, by More...
  • WRIT OF WASTE
    The name of a writ to be issued against a tenant who has com¬mitted waste of the premises. There are several forms of this writ Fitzh. Nat Brev. 125.
  • WRIT PRO RETORNO HABENDO
    A writ commanding the return of the goods to the defendant upon a judgment in his favor in replevin, upon the plaintiff's default.
  • WRITER OF THE TALLIES
    In England An officer of the exchequer whose duty it was to write upon the tallies the letters of tellers' bills.
  • WRITER TO THE SIGNET
    In Scotch law. An officer nearly corresponding to an attorney at law, in English and American practice. "Writers to the signet" called also "clerks to the signet" derive their name from the circumstance that they were anciently clerks in the office of the secretary of state, by whom writs were More...
  • WRITING
    The expression of ideas by letters visible to the eye. Clason v. Bailey, 14 Johns. (N. Y.) 491. The giving an outward and objective form to a contract will, etc., by means of letters or marks placed upon paper, parchment, or other material substance. In the most general sense of More...
  • WRITING OBLIGATORY
    The technical name by which a bond is described in pleading. Denton v. Adams, 6 Vt- 40.
  • WRITTEN LAW
    One of the two leading divisions of the Roman law, comprising the leges, plebiscite,, senatus-consulta, prin'. eipum plaeita, magistratuum edicta, and re-sponsa prudentum. Inst 1, 2,3. Statnte law; law deriving its force from express legislative enactment. 1 BL Comm. 62, 85.
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