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Dictionary of Law Terms: Elsewhere

Agistment. Where cattle are taken in to pasture; from agiser, i. e., levant and couchant. Alibi. Elsewhere. A defence by which it is proved that the accused was not at the place where the offence was committed at the time of its commission To Aliene. To convey or dispose of property to another. Alimony. An allowance made by a husband to his wife when living apart from her. Aliunde. Elsewhere, besides, etc.

Allocation. An allowance made on an account in the Exchequer. Allocatur. The certificate by which a taxing master certifies the amount at which he has taxed a bill of costs, a word used to denote that a writ of order is allowed. Amicus Curiæ. A counsel (or by-stander) who informs the judge on a point of law on which he is doubtful or mistaken.

Ancestor. The law distinguishes between ancestor and predecessor; the former is applied to individuals, the latter to corporations. Ancient Demesne. Manors which at the time of William the Conqueror were in the tenure of the crown, and are so recorded in the Domesday book. Apparator. A messenger that serves the process of the Ecclesiastical Court. Appeal. The removal of a cause from an inferior into a superior court, for the purpose of impeaching the judgment of an inferior court. Appearance to Action. The first formal step by a defendant in an action or suit. It is a notice that he intends to defend.

Appellant. The person appealing to a superior from the decision of an inferior court. Appointment. A formal execution of some power or authority; as, for instance, a power to dispose of property amongst a certain class, as children or grandchildren. Appropriation. The appropriation of a payment means the applying of it to the discharge of a particular debt, where the creditor to whom it is made has more than one debt due from the same debtor.

Approver. A person guilty of an indictable offence, who, to obtain pardon for himself, makes a full confession, and is admitted to give evidence against his accomplices. Arbitration. An extrajudicial method of settling matters in difference by referring them to the arbitrament or determination of persons appointed by the disputants, and termed arbitrators.

Arraignment. A term of criminal procedure. A prisoner, after having had the indictment read over to him, is commanded to state whether or not he is guilty. This proceeding is termed the arraignment.