L. Fr. An accusation or charge. St Westm. 1, c. 2. … [Read more...]

In old English law. The bailiff of a" franchise or manor; an officer in parishes within forests, who marks the commonable cattle. Cowell. … [Read more...]

The act of a sheriff, constable, or other ministerial officer, in delivering back to the court a writ, notice, or other paper, which he was required to serve or execute, with a brief account of his doings under the mandate, the time and mode of service or execution, or his failure to accomplish it, as the case may be. Also the indorsement made by the officer upon the writ or … [Read more...]

In Saxon law. The court of the reve, reeve, or shire reeve. 1 Reeve, Eng. Law, 6. … [Read more...]

A day appointed by law when all writs are to be returned which have issued since the preceding return day. The sheriff is in general not required to return his writ until the return day. After that period he may be ruled to make a return. … [Read more...]