In practice. The act performed by an officer of the law, under the authority and exigence of a writ in taking into the custody of the law the property, real or personal, of a person against whom the judgment of a competent court has passed, condemning him to pay a certain sum of money, in order that such property may be sold, by authority and due course of law, to satisfy the judgment. Or the act of taking possession of goods in consequence of a violation of public law.
Seizure, even though hostile, is not necessarily capture, though such is its usual and probable result. The ultimate act or adjudication of the state, by which the seizure has been made, assigns the proper and conclusive, quality and denomination to the original proceeding. A condemnation asserts a capture ab initio; an award of restitution pronounces upon the act of having been not a valid act of capture, but an act of temporary seizure only. Appleton v. Crown-inshield, 3 Mass. 443. In the law of copyholds. Seizure is where the lord of copyhold lands takes possession of them in default of a tenant It is either seizure quousque or absolute seizure.
Law Dictionary – Alternative Legal Definition
practice. The act of taking possession of the property of a person condemned by the judgment of a competent tribunal, to pay a certain sum of money, by a sheriff, constable, or other officer, lawfully authorized thereto, by virtue of an execution, for the purpose of having such property sold according to law to satisfy the judgment. By seizure is also meant the taking possession of goods for a violation of a public law; as the taking possession of a ship for attempting an illicit trade. 2. The seizure is complete as soon as the goods are within the power of the officer. 3. The taking of par