1. The arrest of a person or of personal effects.
2. Scots law. The taking or attachment of property belonging to another person but in the possession of a third party, either to obtain security or to found jurisdiction. • The process of attachment is similar to garnishment: the property holder is ordered to withhold the property from the debtor. The court may order that the property be transferred to the creditor.
arrestment in execution. Postjudgment arrestment to preserve property on which to collect the judgment.
arrestment in security. See arrestment on the dependence.
arrestment on the dependence. Prejudgment arrestment to secure payment of a judgment against a debtor who is likely to leave the country to escape the creditor. • The arrestment may be ordered even though the creditor has not begun an action on the debt or an action is still pending.
— Also termed arrestment in security.
arrestment to found jurisdiction. Arrestment for the purpose of conferring legitimate legal authority on a court, esp. when the debtor is a foreigner who is not present in and does not own land in a given place.
3. The action of checking or stopping something.
