Latin: In the civil and canon law. Contestation of suit; the process of contesting a suit by the opposing statements of the respective parties; the process of coming to an issue; the attainment of an issue; the issue itself. In the practice of the ecclesiastical courts. The general answer made by the defendant, in which he denies the matter charged against him in the libel. … [Read more...]

Pertaining to polite learning; connected with the study or use of books and writings. The word "literary," having no legal signification, is to be taken in its ordinary and usual meaning. We speak of literary persons as learned, erudite; of literary property, as the productions of ripe scholars, or, at least, of professional writers; of literary institutions, as those where the … [Read more...]

Latin: In the civil law. The process by which a purchaser of property, who is sued for its possession or recovery by a third person, falls back upon his vendor's covenant of warranty, by giving the latter notice of the action and demanding his aid in defending it See Mackeld. Rom. Law, … [Read more...]

This name has been given to the right which authors have in their works. This is secured to them by copyright. … [Read more...]

Latin: In the civil law. Ownership, control, or direction of a suit A fiction of law by which the employment of an attorney or proctor (procurator) in a suit was authorized or justified, he being supposed to become, by the appointment of his principal (dominus) or client, the donv inus litis. Heinecc. Elem. lib. 4, tit 10, {$ 1246, 1247. Litis nomen omnem actionem signif icat, … [Read more...]