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

Category: D

DUE CARE

Just, proper, andsufficient care, so far as the circumstances demand it; ths absence of negligence. Thisterm, as usually understood in cases where the gist of the action is the defendant’snegligence, implies not

DUPLEX QUERELA

A double complaint. An ecclesiastical proceeding, which is in thenature of an appeal from an ordinary’s refusal to institute, to his next immediatesuperior; as from a bishop to the archbishop. If the

DURESS OF IMPRISONMENT

The wrongful imprisonment of a person, or the illegal restraintof his liberty, in order to compel him to do some act. 1 Bl. Comm. 130. 131, 130.137; 1 Steph. Comm. 137; 2

DYING WITHOUT ISSUE

At .common law this phrase imports an indefinite failure ofissue, and not a dying without issue surviving at the time of the death of the first taker.But this rule has been changed

DEED OF SEPARATION

An instrument by which, through tlie medium of some third person acting as trustee,provision is made by a husband for separation from his wife and for her separatemaintenance. Whitney v. Whitney, 15

DEFECT OF FORM

An imperfection in the style, manner, arrangement, or non-essentialparts of a legal instrument, plea, indictment, etc., as distinguished from a “defect ofsubstance.” See infra.

DEFENSE

That which is offered and alleged by the party proceeded against in anaction or suit, as a reason in law or fact why the plaintiff should not recover or establishwhat he seeks;

DEFINITIO

Lat. Definition, or, more strictly, limiting or bounding; as In the maximof the civil law: Omnis definitio pcricu- losa est, parum est enim ut non subverti pos- sit,(Dig. 50, 17, 202;) I.

DELECTUS PERSON

Lat. Choice of the person. By this term is understood theright of a partner to exercise his choice and preference as to the admission of any newmembers to the firm, and as

DEMISE AND REDEMISE

In conveyancing. Mutual leases made from one party toanother on each side, of the same land, or something out of it; as when A. grants a lease to B.at a nominal rent,

DENARII

An ancient general term for any sort of pecunia numerata, or ready money.The French use the word “denier” in the same sense,

DENUNCIA DE OBRA NUEVA

In Spanish law. The denouncement of a new work; being a proceeding to restrain theerection of some new work, as, for instance, a building which may, If completed, Injuriouslyaffect the property of

DEPOPULATION

In old English law. A species of waste by which the population ofthe kingdom was diminished. Depopulation of houses was a public offense. 12 Coke,30, 3L

DEPUTIZE

To appoint a deputy; to appoint or commission one to act as deputy toan officer. In a general sense, the term is descriptive of empowering one person to actfor another in any

DESCENT CAST

The devolving of realty upon the heir on the death of his ancestor intestate.

DESPITUS

Contempt. See DESPITE. A contemptible person. Fleta, lib. 4, c. 5.

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.