Scotch law. A right which vests in the husband, and is in the nature of a life-rent. It is a counterpart of the terce. Courtesy requires, 1st. That there shall have been a living child born of the marriage, who is heir of the wife, or who, if surviving, would have been entitled to succeed. 2d. That the wife shall have succeeded to the subjects in question as heir either of … [Read more...]

A court of special jurisdiction, held before the chancellor of the duchy or his deputy, concerning all matters of equity relating to lands holden of the king in right of the duchy of Lancaster. 3 BL Comm. 78. … [Read more...]

In old English practice. The peculiar hand in which the records of courts were written from the earliest period down to the reign of George II. Its characteristics were great strength, compactness, and undevlating uniformity; and its use undoubtedly gave to the ancient record its acknowledged superiority over the modern, in the important quality of durability. The writing of … [Read more...]

in English law. A court instituted for the trial, during the recess of parliament, of peers indicted for treason or felony, or for misprision of either. This court is not a permanent body, but is created in modern times, when occasion requires, and for the time being, only; and the lord high steward, so constituted, with such of the temporal lords as may take the proper oath, … [Read more...]

The building occupied for the public sessions of a court, with its various offices. The term may be used of a place temporarily occupied for the sessions of a court, though not the regular courthouse. Harris v. State, 72 Miss. 960, 18 South. 387, 33 L. R. A. 85; Vigo County Stout, 136 Ind. 53, 35 N. E. 683, 22 L. R. A. 398; Waller v. Arnold, 71 111. 353; Kane McCown, 55 Mo. … [Read more...]