NOBILE OFFICIUM

In Scotch law. An equitable power of the court of session, to give relief when none is possible at law. Ersk. Inst. 1, 3> 22; Bell. Nobiles magis plectuntur pecunia, plebes vero in corpore. 3 Inst. 220. The higher classes are more punished in money; but the lower in person. Nobiles sunt qui arma gentilitia antecessorum suorum proferre possunt. 2 Inst 595. The gentry are those who are able to produce armorial bearings derived by descent from their own ancestors. Nobiliores et benigniores praesumptiones in dubiis sunt praeferendae. In cases of doubt, the more generous and more benign presumptions are to be preferred. A civil law maxim. Nobilitas est duplex, superior et inferior. . 2 Inst 583. There are two sorts of nobility, the higher and the lower.