Law Professor

Lat. In old English law and practice. A solemn formula of attestation by the sovereign, used at the conclusion of charters, and other public Instruments, and also of original writs out of chancery. Spelman. … [Read more...] about TESTE MEIPSO

In practice. The concluding clause, commencing with the word "Witness," etc. A writ which bears the teste is sometimes said to be tested. "Teste" is a word commonly used in the last part of every writ, wherein the date is contained, beginning with the words, "Teste meipso," meaning the sovereign, if the writ be an original writ, or be issued in the name of the sovereign; but, … [Read more...] about TESTE OF A WRIT

practice. The teste of a writ is the concluding clause, commencing with the word witness 2. The act of congress of May 8, 1792, directs that all writs and process issuing from the supreme or a circuit court, shall bear teste of the chief justice of the supreme court, or if that office be vacant, of the associate justice next in precedence; and that all writs or process issuing … [Read more...] about TESTE

Lat. In the civil law. A testament; a will, or last will. In old English lair. A testament or will; a disposition of property made in contemplation of death. Bract, fol. 60. A general name for any instrument of conveyance, including deeds and charters, and so called either because it furnished written testimony of the conveyance, or because it was authenticated by witnesses, … [Read more...] about TESTAMENTUM

Lat. Witnesses. Testes, trial per. A trial had before a judge without the intervention of a jury, in which the judge is left to form in his own breast his sentence upon the credit of the witnesses examined; but this mode of trial, although it was common in the civil law, was seldom resorted to in the practice of the common law, but it is now becoming common when each party … [Read more...] about TESTES