Your Free Online Legal Dictionary • Featuring Black’s Law Dictionary, 2nd Ed.

Category: B

BESAYEL, BESAIEL, BESAYLE

In old Engl ish law. A writ which lay where a great- grandfather died seised of lands and tenements in fee-simple, and on the day of his death a stranger abated, or

BIENES GANANCIALES

A species of community in property enjoyed by husband and wife, the property being divisible equally between them on the dissolution of the marriage; does not include what they held as their

BILL OF CERTIORARI

A bill, the object of which is to remove a suit in equity from some inferior court to the court of chancery, or some other superior court of equity, on account of

BILL OF HEALTH

An official certificate, given by the authorities of a port from which a vessel clears, to the master of the ship, showing the state of the port, as respects the public health,

BINDING OVER

The act by which a court or magistrate requires a person to enter into a recognizance or furnish ball to appear for trial, to keep the peace, to attend as a witness,

BLACK BOOK OF THE EXCHEQUER

The name of an ancient book kept in the English exchequer, containing a collection of treaties, conventions, charters, etc.

BLANKET POLICY

In the law of fire insurance. A policy which contemplates that the risk is shifting, fluctuating, or varying, and is applied to a class of property, rather than to any particular article

BOARD OF FIRE UNDERWRITERS

As these exist in many cities, they are unincorporated voluntary associations composed exclusively of persons engaged in the business of fire insurance, having for their object consolidation and co-operation in matters affecting

BONA VACANTIA

Vacant, unclaimed, or stray goods. Those things in which nobody claims a property, and which belong to the crown, by virtue of its prerogative. 1 Bl. Comm. 298.

BONDSMAN

A surety; one who has entered into a bond as surety. The word seems to apply especially to the sureties upon the bonds of officers, trustees, etc., while tail should be reserved

BOOK

1. A general designation applied to any literary composition which is printed, but appropriately to a printed composition bound in a volume. Scoville v. Toland, 21 Fed. Cas. 864. 2. A bound

BORD

An old Saxon word, signifying a cottage; a house; a table.

BOROUGH

In English law. A town, a walled town. Co. Litt. 10S6. A town of note or importance; a fortified town. Cowell. An ancient town. Litt. 1C4. A corporate town that is not

BOUCHE FR

The mouth. An allowance of provision. Avoir bouche d court; to have an allowance at court; to be in ordinary at court; to have meat and drink scot- free there. Blount; Cowell.

BOVATA TERRA

As much land as one ox can cultivate. Said by some to be thirteen, by others eighteen, acres in extent Skene; Spelman; Co. Litt 5a.

BREACH OF DUTY

In a general sense, any violation or omission of a legal or moral duty. More particularly, the neglect or failure to fulfill in a just and proper manner the duties of an

BRETTS AND SCOTTS, LAWS OF THE

A code or system of laws in use among the Celtic tribes of Scotland down to the beginning of the fourteenth century, and then abolished by Edward I. of England.

BREVIA ANTICIPAN- TIA

At common law. Anticipating or preventive writs. Six were included in this category, viz.: Writ of mesne; warrantia chartce; monstraverunt; audita querela; curia clauden- da; and ne injuste vexes. Peters v. Linen-

BRIDGE

A structure erected over a river, creek, stream, ditch, ravine, or other place, to facilitate the passage thereof; including by the term both arches and abutments. Bridge Co. v. Railroad Co., 17

Topic Archives:

Disclaimer

This site contains general legal information but does not constitute professional legal advice for your particular situation. The Law Dictionary is not a law firm, and this page does not create an attorney-client or legal adviser relationship. If you have specific questions, please consult a qualified attorney licensed in your jurisdiction.