Law Dictionary Definitions

free chase.See CHASE.[Blacks Law 8th]

free chapel.Hist. Eccles. law. A church founded by the Crown (or by a person under royal grant) and not subject to the bishop’s jurisdiction. “[T]hose onely are Free-chappels, which are of the King’s Foundation, and by him exempted from the Jurisdiction of the Ordinary; but the King may licence a Subject to found such a…

free carrier.A mercantile-contract term allocating the rights and duties of the buyer and the seller of goods with respect to delivery, payment, and risk of loss, whereby the seller must clear the goods for export and deliver them to the buyer’s chosen carrier at a named place. • The seller’s delivery is complete (and the…

free-bord.Hist. 1. A small strip of land (usu. 2 1/2 feet wide and lying just outside a fence) that the owner of the fenced property was allowed to claim and use. 2. The right of claiming that quantity of land. — Also spelled freebord; free bord; free-board. — Also termed francbordus.[Blacks Law 8th]

free bench.Hist. A widow’s (and occasionally a widower’s) interest in the deceased spouse’s estate. • Free bench gave the surviving spouse a half interest in the estate until death or remarriage. — Also termed francus bancus; frank bank; liber bancus. “The bench in question was, we may guess … a bench at the fireside. The…

free and equal,adj. (Of an election) conducted so that the electorate has a reasonable opportunity to vote, with each vote given the same effect. [Cases: Elections 1. C.J.S. Elections § 1(1, 10), 2.][Blacks Law 8th]

free and common socage.See free socage under SOCAGE.[Blacks Law 8th]

free and clear,adj. Unencumbered by any liens; marketable <free and clear title>.[Blacks Law 8th]

free alongside ship.A mercantile-contract term allocating the rights and duties of the buyer and the seller of goods with respect to delivery, payment, and risk of loss, whereby the seller must clear the goods for export, and deliver the goods to the wharf beside the buyer’s chosen vessel. • The seller’s delivery is complete (and…

free alms.See FRANKALMOIN.[Blacks Law 8th]