DEBET ET DETINET

debet et detinet (dee-bet ordeb-et et det-i-net  ordet-<<schwa>>-n<<schwa>>t). [Law Latin]

Hist. He owes and  detains.  •  This  phrase  was  used  in declarations  in  actions for  debt  when  the

original  creditor sued the original  debtor. The declaration stated  that the  defendant “owes to” as

well as “detains from” the plaintiff the debt or thing in question; thus, the action was said to be “in

the debet et detinet.” But if the action was brought against someone other than the original debtor

(such as an executor, for a debt due from the testator), then the action was said to be “in the detinet

alone.” Cf. DETINET. [Blacks Law 8th]