Scotch law. The examination of witnesses who were present at the commission of a criminal act, upon the special circumstances attending it, in order to know whether there is ground for a trial, and to serve for direction to the prosecutor. But the persons examined may insist on having their declaration cancelled before the give testimony at the trial. … [Read more...] about PRECOGNITION
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PRECOGNOSCE
In Scotch practice. To examine beforehand. Arkley, 232. … [Read more...] about PRECOGNOSCE
PRAY IN AID
In old English practice. To call upon for assistance. In real actions, the tenant might pray in aid or call for assistance of another, to help him to plead, because of the feebleness or imbecility of his own estate. 3 Bl. Comm. 300. … [Read more...] about PRAY IN AID
PRECEDENCE
The right of being first placed in a certain order, the first rank being supposed the most honorable. 2. In this country no precedence is given by law to men. 3. Nations, in their intercourse with each other, do not admit any precedence; hence in their treaties in one copy one is named first, and the other in the other. In some cases of officers when one must of necessity act … [Read more...] about PRECEDENCE
PRAYER
chanc. pleadings. That part of a bill which asks for relief. 2. The skill of the solicitor is to be exercised in framing this part of the bill. An accurate specification of the matters to be decreed in complicated cases, requires great discernment and experience; Coop. Eq. Pl. 13; it is varied as the case is made out, concluding always with a prayer of general relief, at the … [Read more...] about PRAYER