In French law. Civil death, as upon conviction for felony. It was nominally abolished by a law of the 31st of May, 1854, but something very similar to it in effect at least still remains. Thus, the property of the condemned, possessed by him at the date of his conviction, goes and belongs to his successors, (heritiers,) as In case of an intestacy; and his future acquired … [Read more...]

The Latin word for death. … [Read more...]

(Mort D'Ancestor) An ancient and now almost obsolete remedy in the English law. An assize of mort d'ancestor was a writ which was sued out where, after the decease of a man's ancestor, a stranger abated, and entered into the estate. 1, Co. Litt. 159. The remedy in such case is now to bring ejectment. … [Read more...]

Lat. He delays in law. The phrase describes the action of one who demurs, because the party does, not proceed in pleading, but rests or abides upon the judgment of the court on a certain point as to the legal sufficiency of his opponent's pleading. The court deliberate and determine thereupon. … [Read more...]

An ancient and now almost obsolete remedy in the English law. An assize of mort aVancestor was a writ which lay for a person whose ancestor died seised of lands in fee-simple, and after his death a stranger abated; and this writ directed the sheriff to summon a Jury or assize, who should view the land in question and recognize whether such ancestor were seised thereof on the … [Read more...]