BENEFICE

In ecclesiastical law. In its technical sense, this term includes ecclesiastical preferments to which rank or public office is attached, otherwise described as ecclesiastical dignities or offices, such as bishoprics, deaneries, and the like; but in popular acceptation, it is almost invariably appropriated to rectories, vicarages, perpetual curacies, district churches, and endowed chapelries. Fr. In French law. A benefit or advantage, and particularly a privilege given by the law rather than by the agreement of the parties. Benefice de discussion. Benefit of discussion. The right of a guarantor to require that the creditor should exhaust his recourse against the principal debtor before having recourse to the guarantor himself. Benefice de division. Benefit of division; right of contribution as between co sureties. Benefice d’inventaire. A term which corresponds to the beneficium in ventarii of Roman law, and substantially to the English law doctrine that the executor properly accounting is only liable to the extent of the assets received by him Beneficiaire. The person in whose favor a promissory note or bill of exchange is payable; or any person in whose favor a contract of any description is executed. Arg. Fr. Merc. Law, 547.