A writ authorizing the holding of an assize to decide the status of a property (see quot. 1607) Usually in assize of utrum.

Originally: a royal writ obliging a person to show by what warrant an office or franchise is held or claimed (now historical); frequently as writ of q…

a royal writ dealing with a case concerning the tenants of a manor, only valid in and applicable to the court of the lord of that manor. Also little…

English Law. In full commission of oyer and terminer, writ of oyer and terminer. A commission authorizing a judge on circuit to hold courts (formerly…

a writ which is grantable as a matter of right, as opposed to a prerogative writ; similarly title of right.

A writ issued in cases of disputed presentation to a benefice, requiring the defendant to state why he or she hinders the plaintiff from making the…

Law. An order (formerly, and currently in U.S., a writ) issuing from a superior court, forbidding an inferior court, tribunal, etc., from…

A writ demanding action or an explanation of non-action. See also praecipe quod reddat, n. Obsolete.

A writ requiring a person or persons to keep the peace.

= replevin, n. 1c. Obsolete.

A restitution of land made by the sovereign on the basis of a finding that the king has no right to hold land; (also) a writ granting delivery of…

A writ of right issued for a tenant holding land of the monarch in chief.

Feudal Law. The estimated worth of a marriage arranged by a lord for an infant ward or heir, and payable by the heir to the lord, should the heir…

spec. In English Law, formerly, = prohibition, n.

A writ or other official communication by which a person is granted rehabilitation of this type. Obsolete.

A writ allowing a second inquiry into a case where partiality is suspected, esp. in land law.

= ne exeat regno, n.

A writ to restrain a landlord from using wastefully the wood, etc., on his or her estate, after having granted housebote or haybote to another…

Scots Law (now historical). in supplement: as confirmation of otherwise inadmissible or inconclusive evidence (oath in supplement: an oath of a…

spec. In Ecclesiastical Law, The order of an ecclesiastical court, stopping proceedings in inferior courts, e.g. the suspension of inferior…

= beaupleader, n. Also: an instance of this; an amended plea.

An obsolete writ of entry: see quot.

A writ restraining a person from leaving the area of the court's jurisdiction without licence.

Law. A writ or action (against a bailiff, receiver, etc.) for the recovery of monies or property wrongfully received, e.g. by infringing the…

Law. The appointment of additional legal officials to act as colleagues on any occasion; the writ appointing them. (Cf. associate, adj. 3.)

a writ for ship-money.

A writ so called, originating in Stat. 6 Edw. I. and abolished by 3 and 4 Wm. IV. (See quot. and cf. cess, v.2, cesser, n.)

= ne exeat regno, n.

A writ that lies against an executor or administrator for waste or misapplication of the testator's estate.

= writ of right close n. at right, n. phrases 2b(d).

the restoration to or recovery by a person of goods or chattels distrained or confiscated, upon giving a surety to have the matter tried in a court…

= beaupleader, n.

The amendment of a defective plea; a writ lying against those who levied a fine for amendment of plea.

a writ directing a proclamation to be made.

court of inquiry, a court legally constituted to inquire into and investigate any charge against an officer or soldier of the army, or any…

The paying of attention, attendance; spec. writ of intendence and respondence, in 13–15th centuries, a writ under the Great Seal in favour of one…