(A) contracts. An agreement to submit to certain arbitrators, matters in dispute between two or more parties, for their decision, and judgment. The persons to whom such matters are referred are sometimes called referees. (B) mercantile law. A direction or request by a party who asks a credit to the person from whom he expects it, to call on some other person named in order to ascertain the character or mercantile standing of the former. (C) practice. The act of sending any matter by a court of chancery or one exercising equitable powers, to a master or other officer, in order that he may ascertain facts and report to the court. By reference is also understood that part of an instrument of writing where it points to another for the matters therein contained.
Law Dictionary – Alternative Legal Definition
In contracts. An agreement to submit to arbitration; the act of parties in submitting their controversy to chosen referees or arbitrators. In practice. The act of sending a cause pending in court to a referee for his examination and decision. See Refer. In commercial law. The act of sending or directing one person to another, for information or advice as to the character, solvency, standing, etc., of a third person, who desires to open business relations with the first, or to obtain credit with him. Reference in case of need. When a person draws or indorses a bill of exchange, he sometimes adds the name of a person to whom it may be presented “in case of need;” i.e., in case it is dishonored by the original drawee or acceptor. Byles, Bills, 261. Reference to record. Under the English practice, when an action is commenced, an entry of it is made in the cause book according to the year, the initial letter of the surname of the first plaintiff, and the place of the action, in numerical order among those commenced in the same year, e.g., “1876, A. 26;” and all subsequent documents in the action, (such as pleadings and affidavits) bear this mark, which is called the “reference to the record.”