equity practice. An issue directed by a court of equity to be tried in a court of law, to ascertain by a trial before a jury, the amount of damages suffered by the non-performance of some collateral undertaking which a penalty has been given to secure. When such damages have thus been ascertained the court will grant relief upon their payment. … [Read more...]

Lat. The plaintiff did not find a pledge. A return1 formerly made by a sheriff to a writ requiring him to take security of the plaintiff to prosecute his claim. Cowell. Quarere dat ampere qua sunt logitima ere. Litt. 443. To inquire into them, is the way to know what things are truly lawful. … [Read more...]

An indulgence or remission of penance, sold by the pope. … [Read more...]

In Roman law. Anciently a species of commission granted by the comitia to one or more persons for the purpose of inquiring into some crime or public offense and reporting thereon. In later times, the qucestio came to exercise plenary criminal jurisdiction, even to pronouncing sentence, and then was appointed periodically, and eventually became a permanent commission or regular … [Read more...]

in Roman law, were commissions (or courts) of inquisition into crimes alleged to have been committed. They were called "perpetuw," to distinguish them from occasional Inquisitions, and because they were permanent courts for the trial of offenders. Brown. … [Read more...]