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punishment. An action given by statute to any one who will sue for the penalty. A qui tam action. An action for a statutory penalty or forfeiture, given to any such person or persons as will sue for it; an action given to the people in general. 3 Bl. Comm. 160. … [Read more...] about POPULAR ACTION

A tax ordained by act of parliament (18 Car. II. c. 1,) by which every subject in the kingdom was assessed by the head or poll, according to his degree. Cowell. A similar personal tribute was more anciently termed "poll-silver." … [Read more...] about POLL-MONEY

A writ by which justices were required to put their seals to exceptions exhibited by a defendant against a plaintiffs evidence, verdict, or other proceedings, before them, according to the statute Westm. 2, (13 Edw. I. St. 1, c. 31.) … [Read more...] about PONENDUM SIGULLUM AD EXCEPTIONEM

In reference to the construction of a statute, this term means that sense which people conversant with the subject matter with which the statute is dealing would attribute to it 1 Exch. Div. 248. … [Read more...] about POPULAR SENSE

The place where electors cast in their votes. Heads; individuals; persons singly considered. A challenge to the polls (in capita) is a challenge to the individual jurors composing the panel, or an exception to one or more particular jurors. 3 Bl. Comm. 358, 361. … [Read more...] about POLLS