Fr. An obsolete term for an attorney who pleaded the cause of his client; an advocate. PLAIN STATEMENT is one that may be readily understood, not merely by lawyers, but by all who are sufficiently acquainted with the language in which it is written. Mann v. Morewood, 5 Sandf. (N. T.) 557, 564. … [Read more...] about PLAIDEUR
P
PIT AND GALLOWS
In Scotch law; A privilege of inflicting capital punishment for theft, given by King Malcolin, by which. a woman could be drowned in a pit (fossaj or a man hanged on a gallows, (furco.) Bell. … [Read more...] about PIT AND GALLOWS
PLACITA
In old English law. The public assemblies of all degrees of men where the sovereign presided, who usually consulted upon the great affairs of. the kingdom. Also pleas, pleadings, or debates, and trials at law; sometimes penalties, fines, .mulcts, or emendations; also the style of the court at the beginning of the record at nisi prius, but this is now omitted. Cowell. In the … [Read more...] about PLACITA
PIGNUS
civil law. This word signifies in English, pledge or pawn. It is derived, says Gaius, from pugnium, the fist, because what is delivered in pledge is delivered. in hand. Dig. 50, 16, 238, 2. This is one of several instances of the failure of the Roman jurists, when they attempted etymological explanation of words. The elements of pignus (pig) is contained in the word pa(n)g-o, … [Read more...] about PIGNUS
PIN-MONEY
An allowance set apart by a husband for the personal expensed of his wife, for her dress and pocket money. … [Read more...] about PIN-MONEY