Law Dictionary Definitions

  1.abbr.The first series of the Federal Reporter, which includes federal decisions (trial and appellate) from 1880 to 1924. 2.Hist. A letter branded on a felon who claimed benefit of clergy so that the felon could claim the benefit only once. • Additionally, those convicted for an affray (fray) or falsity were so branded. “He…

bystander. One who is present when an event takes place, but who does not become directly involved in it.[Blacks Law 8th]

byrthynsak (b<<schwa>>r-th<<schwa>>n-sak), n.[Anglo-Saxon byrthen “burden” + sacu “lawsuit”] Hist. The theft of a calf or ram that is the most a man can carry on his back.[Blacks Law 8th]

byrlaw court.Hist. Scots law. A community assembly that judged minor disputes arising in the community. • The assembly members were called byrlawmen or birleymen. — Also spelled burlaw court.[Blacks Law 8th]

byrlaw (bir-lah), n. English & Scots law. Hist.1.The local custom of a township or district for resolving disputes over boundaries, trespasses, and the use of common lands, as well as farming issues. 2. A particular custom established by the common consent of landholders in a township or district. 3. The area over which a township…

bypass trust.See TRUST.[Blacks Law 8th]

by operation of law.See OPERATION OF LAW.[Blacks Law 8th]

bylaw man.Hist. One of the chief men of a town, usu. appointed for some purpose under the town’s corporate bylaws.[Blacks Law 8th]

  bylaw [fr. Danish bye, Old Norse byr, “town”] 1.Parliamentary law. (usu. pl.) A rule or administrative provision adopted by an organization for its internal governance and its external dealings. • Although the bylaws may be an organization’s most authoritative governing document, they are subordinate to a charter or articles of incorporation or association or…

by God and my country.Hist. A customary reply for a criminal defendant when asked at arraignment, “Culprit, how wilt thou be tried?”[Blacks Law 8th]