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(Latin: ring and staff.) The investiture of a bishop was per annulum et baculum, by the prince's delivering to the prelate a ring and pastoral staff, or crozier. 1 Bl. Comm. 378; Spelman. … [Read more...] about ANNULUS ET BACULUS

Something that goes before. In the construction of laws, agreements, and the like, reference is always to be made to the last antecedent; ad proximun antecedens fiat relatio. But not only the antecedents but the subsequent clauses of the instrument must be considered: Ex antecedentibus et consequentibus fit optima interpretatio. Before suit brought, before controversy moved. … [Read more...] about ANTECEDENT

English law. The title which the king acquires in land, when a party, who held not of the king, is attainted of felony. He acquires the power not only to take the profits for a full year, but to waste and demolish houses, and to extirpate woods and trees. 2. This is but a chattel interest. … [Read more...] about ANNUM DIEM ET VASTUM

An ancestor, (q. v.) … [Read more...] about ANTECESSOR

Lat. In civil and old English law. A year; the period of three hundred and sixty five days. Dig. 40, 7, 4, 5; Calvin.; Bract, fol. 3596. Annus deliberandi. In Scotch law. A year of deliberating; a year to deliberate. The year allowed by law to the heir to deliberate whether he will enter and represent his ancestor. It commences on the death of the ancestor, unless in the case … [Read more...] about ANNUS