Law Professor

The operation of the mind. No one can be punished for his mere thoughts however wicked they may be. Human laws cannot reach them, first, because they are unknown; and, secondly, unless made manifest by some action, they are not injurious to any one; but when they manifest themselves, then the act, which is the consequence, may be punished. … [Read more...] about THOUGHT

It was a custom within the manor of Halton, in Chester, that if, In driving beasts over a common, the driver permitted them to graze or take but a thistle, he should pay a halfpenny a-piece to the lord of the fee. And at Flskerton, in Nottinghamshire, by ancient custom, if a native or a cottager killed a swine above a year old, he paid to the lord a penny, which purchase of … [Read more...] about THISTLE-TAKE

In old English law. A measure of corn or grain, consisting of twenty-four sheaves or four shocks, six sheaves to every shock. Cowell. … [Read more...] about THRAVE

A claim by a defendant in a case against a person or party other than the plaintiff or another defendant (a third party) that this external party is at fault and liable for any judgment to the plaintiff. … [Read more...] about THIRD PARTY CLAIM

Fixing "this day six months," or "three months," for the next stage of a bill, is one of the modes in which the house of lords and the house of commons reject bills of which they disapprove. A bill rejected in this manner cannot be reintroduced in the same session. Wharton. … [Read more...] about THIS DAY SIX MONTHS