CHIROGRAPH

chirograph (kI-r<<schwa>>-graf), n.1.Civil law. A handwritten instrument. 2. A written deed, subscribed and witnessed. — Also termed cyrographum. 3. Such a deed in two parts from a single original document separated by an indented line through the word chirographum, each party retaining one part. 4.Hist. FOOT OF THE FINE. — Also termed (in sense 4) cyrographarius. — chirographic,adj.

“Formerly, when deeds were more concise than at present, it was usual to write both parts on the same piece of parchment, with some word or letters of the alphabet written between them; through which the parchment was cut, either in a straight or indented line, in such a manner as to leave half the word on one part and half on the other. Deeds thus made were denominated syngrapha by the canonists; and with us chirographa, or hand-writings.” 2 William Blackstone, Commentaries on the Laws of England 295–96 (1766). CHIROGRAPHER OF FINES

chirographer of fines (kI-rog-r<<schwa>>-f<<schwa>>r) Hist. A Court of Common Pleas officer who engrossed court-ordered fines and delivered indentures of the fines to the parties. See

INDENTURE OF A FINE.

“Chirographer of fynes… signifieth in our common lawe, him in the common bench office, that ingrosseth fines in that court acknowledged, into a perpetuall record, after they be acknowledged, and fully passed by those officers, by whome they are formerly examined; and that writeth and delivereth the indentures of them unto the party. This officer also maketh two indentures, one for the buier, another for the seller; and maketh one other indented peece, containing also the effect of the fine, which he delivereth over to the custos brevium, that is called the foote of the fine.” John Cowell, The Interpreter (1607). [Blacks Law 8th]