1. (Of a person) being absent from a jurisdiction or nation; out of the country, esp. across the ocean. • This term was used when a person could not be served with a summons, notice, etc. because the person was absent from the jurisdiction. Some jurisdictions toll the statute of limitations during a defendant’s absence.
2. Out of state. • Although originally beyond seas meant “out of the country,” the U.S. Supreme Court declared that the term includes absence from a state. Murray’s Lessee v. Baker, 16 U.S. 541, 545 (1818).
— Also termed beyond sea; beyond the seas; ultra mare.
“[I]t has been provided that if any person or persons against whom there shall be any cause of action shall at the time of its accrual be beyond seas, then the person or persons entitled to any such cause of action shall be at liberty to bring the same against such person or persons within such time as before limited, after his or their return from beyond seas.” John Indermaur, Principles of the Common Law 240 (Edmund H. Bennett ed., 1st Am. ed. 1878).
