In the civil law. A demand or action for the restoration of money paid under mistake, or goods delivered by mistake or on an unperformed condition. Dig. 12, 6. See SOLUTIO INDEBITT. In Scotch law. The act of reading over a witness’ deposition, in order that he may adhere to it or correct it at his choice. The same as recolement (q. v.)
Law Dictionary – Alternative Legal Definition
(A) construction of wills. A repetition takes place when the same testator, by the same testamentary instrument, gives to the same legatee legacies of equal amount and of the same kind; in such case the latter is considered a repetition of the former, and the legatee is entitled to one only. For example, a testator gives to a legatee “30 a year during his life” and in another part of the will he gives to the same legatee “an annuityfor his life payable quarterly,” he is entitled to only one annuity of thirty pounds a year. (B) civil law. The act by which a person demands and seeks to recover what he has paid by mistake, or delivered on a condition which has not been performed. Dig. 12, 4, 5. The name of an action which lies to recover the payment which has been made by mistake, when nothing was due. 2. Repetition is never admitted in relation to natural obligations which have been voluntarily acquitted, if the debtor had capacity to give his consent. 6 Toull. n. 386. The same rule obtains in our law. A person who has voluntarily acquitted a natural or even a moral obligation, cannot recover back the money by an action for money had and received, or any other form of action. 3. In order to entitle the payer to recover back money paid by mistake it must have been paid by him to a person to whom he did not owe it, for otherwise he cannot recover it back, the creditor having in such case the just right to retain the money. Repetitio nulla est ab eo qui suum recepit. 4. How far money paid under a mistake of law is liable to repetition, has been discussed by civilians, and opinions on this subject are divided.