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Dictionary of Law Terms: Letters

Letters (or Power, of Attorney. A writing, under seal, empowering another person to do any act instead of the person granting the letter. It may be either general or special; the attorney represents his principal in the matters prescribed by the letter until it be revoked.

Letters of License. An instrument whereby creditors grant to their debtor time for the payment of his debts, and bind themselves not to molest him until that time has expired.

Levant and Couchant. The law term for cattle that have been so long in the grounds of another, that they have laid down, and risen again to feed. Levari facias. A Writ of Execution, used to sell lands mortgaged, after judgment has been obtained, by the owners of the mortgage.

Levy. The seizing of goods or chattels by a sheriff under an execution is called a levy. Lex loci contractus. The law of the place or country where the contract was made.

Lex mercatoria. The mercantile law.

Lex non scripta. The unwritten or common law.

Lex scripta. The written law.

Lex terræ. The law of the land.