So called because anciently inhabited by such clerks as chiefly studied the framing of writs, which regularly belonged to the cursltors, who were officers of the court of chancery. There are nine of them, Clement's, Clifford's, and Lyon's Inn; Furnival's, Thavies,' and Symond's Inn; New Inn; and Barnard's and Staples' Inn. These were formerly preparatory colleges for students, … [Read more...]

In practice. An inquiry or inquest ; particularly, an investigation of certain facts made by a sheriff, together with a jury impaneled by him for the purpose. Inquisition after death. See INQUISITIO. Inquisition of lunacy. See LUNACY. … [Read more...]

These are certain private unincorporated associations, in the nature of collegiate houses, located in London, and invested with the exclusive privilege of calling men to the bar; that is, conferring the rank or degree of a barrister. They were founded probably about the beginning of the fourteenth century. The principal inns of court are the Inner Temple, Middle Temple, … [Read more...]

A designation of sheriffs, coroners, super visum corporis, and the like, who have power to inquire into certain matters. 2. The name, of an officer, among ecclesiastics, who is authorized to inquire into heresies, and the like, and to punish them. An ecclesiastical judge. … [Read more...]

pleading. An averment which explains the defendant's meaning by reference to antecedent matter. The innuendo is mostly used in actions for slander. An innuendo, as, he the said plaintiff meaning, is only explanatory of some matter expressed; it serves to apply the slander to the precedent matter, but cannot add or enlarge, extend, or change the sense of the previous words, and … [Read more...]