English law. When a person is so poor that he cannot bear the charges of suing at law or in equity, upon making oath that he is not worth five pounds, and bringing a certificate from a counselor at law, that he believes him to have a just cause, he is permitted to sue informa pauperis, in the manner of a pauper; that is, he is allowed to have original writs and subpoenas … [Read more...]

In old English and Scotch law. Literally, to put out of a family, (forte famUiam ponere.) To portion off a son, so that he could have no further claim upon his father. Glanv. lib. 7, c. 3. To emancipate, or free from paternal authority. … [Read more...]

Relating to matters of form; as, "formal defects;" inserted, added, ot joined pro forma. See PARTIES. … [Read more...]

is used in Scotch law as aforesaid is in English, and sometimes, in a plural form, foresaids. 2 How. Stote Tr. 715. Forsoidis occurs in old Scotch records. "The Loirdis assesouris forsaidis." 1 Pitc. Crim. Tr. pt 1, p. 107. … [Read more...]

Old law. The name of a penalty formerly incurred by a ward in chivalry, when he or she married contrary to the wishes of his or her guardian in chivalry. The latter, who was the ward's lord, had an interest in controlling the marriage of his female wards, and he could exact a price for his consent and, at length, it became customary to sell the marriage of wards of both sexes. … [Read more...]