DIEM CLAUSIT EXTREMUM
diem clausit extremum (dI-<<schwa>>m klaw-zit ek-stree-m<<schwa>>m), n.[Law Latin
“he closed his last day”] Hist. 1.A chancery writ, founded on the statute of Marlbury, ordering the
county escheator, after the death of a chief tenant of the Crown, to summon a jury to determine the
amount and value of land owned by the chief tenant, to determine the next heir, and to reclaim the
property for the Crown. • It was a type of inquisition post mortem.
“Diem clausit extremum is a writ that lies where the king’s tenant that holds in chief, dies;
then this writ shall be directed to the excheator, to inquire of what estate he was seised, who is
next heir, and his age, and of the certainty and value of the land, and of whom it is holden; and the
inquisition shall be returned into the chancery, which is commonly called the office after the death
of that person.” Termes de la Ley 169 (1st Am. ed. 1812).
2. An Exchequer writ ordering a sheriff to summon a jury to investigate a Crown debtor’s
place of death and amount of property owned, and to levy the property of the deceased’s heirs and
executors. • It was repealed by the Crown Proceedings Act of 1947.“And there is another writ of
diem clausit extremum awarded out of the exchequer, after the death of an accomptant or debtor of
his majesty, to levy the debt of his heir, executor, administrator’s lands or goods.” Termes de la
Ley 169 (1st Am. ed. 1812). [Blacks Law 8th]