trial by combat. Hist. A trial that is decided by personal battle between the disputants, common in Europe and England during the Middle Ages; specif., a trial in which the person accused fought with the accuser, the idea being that God would give victory to the person in the right. • This method was introduced […]
An estate restricted to some specified heirs, exclusive of others (e.g., “to Albert and his female heirs”). • The fee simple conditional is obsolete except in Iowa, Oregon, and South Carolina. — Also termed general fee conditional; conditional fee. [Cases: Estates in Property 7. C.J.S. Estates §§ 13–14, 20–21.]
fee simple conditional Read More »
desuetude (des-w[schwa]-t[y]ood). 1. Lack of use; obsolescence through disuse. 2. The doctrine holding that if a statute or treaty is left unenforced long enough, the courts will no longer regard it as having any legal effect even though it has not been repealed. [Cases: Statutes 173. C.J.S. Statutes § 292.] “[T]he doctrine of desuetude has
Aid to Families with Dependent Children. Obsolete. A federally funded, state-administered welfare program that provided financial assistance to needy families with dependent children. • Aid to Families with Dependent Children has been replaced by Temporary Assistance to Needy Families. — Abbr. AFDC. See TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE TO NEEDY FAMILIES.
aid to families with dependent children Read More »
Hist. A writ for a tenant who has been disseised of lands and tenements. • This institution of English law flourished for about 300 years — from the 12th century to the 15th. It had become wholly obsolete by the mid-17th century. — Also termed assisa novae disseysinae.
assize of novel disseisin Read More »
commission of lieutenancy. Hist. A commission issued to send officers into every county to establish military order over the inhabitants. • This commission superseded the former commission of array, which provided the same powers. The commissions became obsolete with the establishment of the militia system.
commission of lieutenancy Read More »
recrimination (ri-krim-i-nay-sh[schwa]n), n. 1. Family law. Archaic. In a divorce suit, a countercharge that the complainant has been guilty of an offense constituting a ground for divorce. • When both parties to the marriage have committed marital misconduct that would be grounds for divorce, neither may obtain a fault divorce. Recriminations are now virtually obsolete
emblemata Triboniani (em-blee-m[schwa]-t[schwa] tr[schwa]-boh-nee-ay-n I). [Latin] Roman law. Alterations, modifications, and additions to the writings of the older jurists that were combined to form the Digest or Pandects, and generally termed interpolations. • Justinian appointed a commission over which Tribonian presided to harmonize contradictions, delete obsolete matter, and bring the law up to date. This
emblemata triboniani Read More »