A new-born child, abandoned by, its parents, who are unknown. The settlement of, such a child is in the place where found. A deserted or exposed infant; a child found without a parent or guardian, its relatives being unknown. It has a settlement in the district where found. Foundling hospitals. Charitable institutions which exist in most countries for taking care of infants … [Read more...]

Fr. In old French law. An oven or bake-house. Four banal, an oven, owned by the seignior of the estate, to which the tenants were obliged to bring their bread for baking. Also the proprietary right to maintain such an oven. … [Read more...]

Phrase usually used is within the four corners of the document, which refers to the principle that the interpretation of a document should be derived primarily from the writing contained in the document and not from outside of the document (the four corners of the paper) that would provide extrinsic evidence. The actual written words of the contract should be examined first. … [Read more...]

The seas surrounding England. These were divided into the Western, including the Scotch and Irish; the North? ern, or North sea; the Eastern, being the German ocean; the Southern, being the British channel. … [Read more...]

Fr. To fork. This was a method of delaying an action anciently resorted to by defendants when two of them were joined in the suit. Instead of appearing together, each would appear in turn and cast an essoin for the other, thus postponing the trial. … [Read more...]