In English practice. A private memorial tendered in open court to the judge, where the party injured sets forth his cause of action. A proceeding in inferior courts by which an action is commenced without original writ. 3 Bl. Comm. 373. This mode of proceeding is commonly adopted in cases of replevin. 3 Steph. Comm. 006.In the civil law. A complaint; a form of action, particularly one for setting aside a testament alleged to be invalid. This word is the English equivalent of the Latin “que- rela,”