Contested; adversary; litigated between adverse or contending parties; a judicial proceeding not merely ex parte in its character, but comprising attack and defense as between opposing parties, is so called. The litigious proceedings in ecclesiastical courts are sometimes said to belong to its "contentious" jurisdiction, in contradistinction to what is called its "voluntary" … [Read more...]

In English law. The commission received for carrying over or putting off the time of. execution of a contract to deliver stocks or pay for them at a certain time. Wharton. … [Read more...]

eccl. law. In those cases where there is an action or judicial process, and it consists in hearing and determining the matter between party and party, it is said there is contentious jurisdiction, in contradistinction to voluntary jurisdiction, which is exercised in matters that require no judicial proceeding, as in taking probate of wills, granting letters of administration, … [Read more...]

L. Fr. A contest, dispute, disturbance, opposition. Britt c. 42; Kelham. Conteckours; brawlers; disturbers of the peace. Britt c. 29. … [Read more...]

A man's countenance or credit which he has together with, and by reason of, his freehold; or that which is necessary for the support and maintenance of men, agreeably to their several qualities or states of life. Wharton; Cowell. … [Read more...]