Scots Law Dictionary

"MacLaw" it ain't; just the best, sweetest and often ancient law of the fine folk North of Hadrrrrian's Wall.

Advocate

The Scottish law term for a barrister; one who argues cases for clients before the Court.

Arrestment

Scots law: the seizure of monies owned by a debtor but held by a third-party.

Diligence

The degree of attention or care required of a person in a given situation.

Great Britain

England, Wales and Scotland, since 1707.

Heritage

Scot law: real property.

Inhibition

A legal procedure to prevent a debtor from compromising property upon which a creditor holds a charge.

Letters of Exculpation

Scots law: a subpoena, in the form of a warrant, to a material witness in a criminal matter to testify at trial.

Lord Advocate

Scottish law: head of public prosecutions and the investigation of deaths.

Maill

Scots law: rent.

Oversman

The Scottish law term for umpire.

Poinding

Scottish law: The seizure of a judgment debtor's personal property to satisfy the terms of the judgment.

Poinding of the Ground

Scottish law: The post-judgment seizure and judicial sale, of the judgment debtor's property attached to his land, to satisfy the terms of the judgment.

Practicks

Scots law: Court of Sessions judge's notes later compiled and released to jurists for study and precedent purposes, now superseded by modern law reports.

Procurator Fiscal

Scots law: the prosecutor who acts on behalf of the state in criminal prosecutions.

Reconvention

A rule of jurisdiction which enables a counterclaim against another who, although otherwise beyond the jurisdiction of the court, has voluntarily submitted to jurisdiction by iniating the principal action.

Regiam Majestatem

An ancient compendium of Scottish law; circa 1320.

Res Noviter Veniens Ad Notitiam

Latin: Fact(s) newly coming to knowledge.

United Kingdom

England and Wales with Scotland (forming Great Britain), and Northern Ireland.