In ecclesiastical law. The annexing an ecclesiastical benefice to the use of a lay person, whether individual or corporate, in the same way as oppropriation is the annexing of any such benefice to the proper and perpetual use of some spiritual corporation, whether sole or aggregate, to enjoy forever. Brown. … [Read more...]
IMPRESSMENT
A power possessed by the English crown of taking persons or property to aid in the defense of the country, with or without the consent of the persons concerned. It is usually exercised to obtain hands for the royal ships in time of war, by taking seamen engaged in merchant vessels, (1 Bl. Comm. 420; Maud & P. Shipp. 123:) but in former times impressment of merchant ships … [Read more...]
IMPROVE
In Scotch law. To disprove; to invalidate or impeach; to prove false or forged. 1 Forb. Inst pt 4, p. 162. To improve a lease means to grant a lease of unusual duration to encourage a tenant, when the soil is exhausted, etc Bell; Stair, Inst p. 676, … [Read more...]
IMPORTUNITY
Urgent solicitation, with troublesome frequency and pertinacity. 2. Wills and devises are sometimes set aside in consequence of the importunity of those who have procured them. Whenever the importunity is such as to deprive the devisor of the freedom, of his will, the devise becomes fraudulent and void. … [Read more...]
IMPOSITION
An impost; tax; contribution. Paterson v. Society, 24 N. J. Law, 400; Singer Mfg. Co. v. Heppenheimer, 58 N. J. Law, 633, 34 Ati. 1061, 32 L. R. A. 643. … [Read more...]