PRIVY

A person who is in privity with another. See PRIIVIES; PRIVITY. As an adjective, the word has practically the same meaning as “private.” Privy council In English Law. The principal council of the sovereign, composed of the cabinet ministers, and other persons chosen by the king or queen as privy councillors. 2 Steph. Comm. 479, 480. The judicial committee of the privy council acts as a court of ultimate appeal in various cases. Privy councillor. A member of the privy council. Privy purse. In English law. The income set apart for the sovereign’s personal use. Privy seal In English law. A seal used in making out grants or letters patent, preparatory to their passing under the great seal 2 Bl. Comm. 347. Privy signet. In English law. The signet or seal which is first used in making out grants and letters patent, and which is always in the custody of the principal secretary of state. 2 Bl. Comm. 847. Privy token. A false mark or sign, forged object, counterfeited letter, key, ring, etc., used to deceive persons, and thereby fraudulently get possession of property. St. 33 Hen. VIII. c. 1. A false privy token is a false private document or sign, not such as is calculated to deceive men generally, but designed to defraud one or more individuals. Cheating by such false token was not indictable at common law. Pub. St. Mass. 1882, p. 1294. Privy verdict. In practice. A verdict given privily to the judge out of court but which was of no force unless afterwards affirmed by a public verdict given openlv in court. 3 Bl. Comm. 377. Kramer v. Kister, 187 Pa. 227, 40 Atl. 1008, 44 L. R. A. 432; Barrett v. State. 1 Wis. 175; Young v. Seymour. 4 Neb. 89; Com. v. Heller, 5 Phila. (Pa.) 123. Now generally superseded by the “sealed verdict,” I. e.. one written out sealed up. and delivered to the judge or the clerk of the court.