DE EJECTIONE FIRMAE

de ejectione firmae (dee ee-jek-shee-oh-nee f<<schwa>>r-mee). [Latin “ejectment of farm”]

Hist. A writ or action of trespass to obtain the return of lands or tenements to a lessee for a term of

years  that  had  been  ousted  by  the  lessor  or  by  a  reversioner,  remainderman,  or  stranger.  •  The

lessee was then entitled to a writ of ejection to recover, at first, damages for the trespass only, but

later  the  term  itself,  or  the  remainder  of  it,  with  damages.  This  action  is  the  foundation  of  the

modern action of ejectment. See EJECTMENT.

“A  writ  then  of  ejectione  firmae,  or  action  of  trespass  in  ejectment,  lieth,  where  lands  or

tenements are let for a term of years; and afterwards the lessor, reversioner, remainder-man, or any

stranger, doth eject or oust the lessee of his term. In this case he shall have his writ of ejection, to

call the defendant to answer for entering on the lands so demised to the plaintiff for a term that is

not yet expired, and ejecting him. And by this writ the plaintiff shall recover back his term, or the

remainder of it, with damages.” 3 William Blackstone, Commentaries on the Laws of England 199

(1768). [Blacks Law 8th]