DEDIMUS POTESTATEM

The name of a writ which was formerly issued by authority of the crown in England to authorize an attorney to appear for a defendant. 2. By statute of Westminster 2, 13 Edw. I. c. 10, all persons impleaded may make an attorney to sue for them in all pleas moved by or against them, in the superior courts there enumerated. DEDIMUS POTESTATEM DE ATTORNO FACIENCDO. (We have given power.) In English practice. A writ or commission issuing out of chancery, empowering the persons named therein to perform certain acts, as to administer oaths to defendants in chancery and take their answers, to administer oaths of office to justices of the peace, etc. 3 Bl. Comm. 447. It was anciently allowed for many purposes not now in use, as to make an attorney, to take the acknowledgment of a fine, etc. In the United States, a commission to take testimony is sometimes termed a “dedimus potettatem.”