DISTRINGAS

distringas (di-string-gas), n.[Law Latin “you are to distrain”] 1. A writ ordering a sheriff to

distrain  a  defendant’s  property  to  compel  the  defendant  to  perform  an  obligation,  such  as

appearing in court or giving up a chattel to a plaintiff awarded judgment in a detinue action. 2. A

writ ordering  the  sheriff  to  seize jurors’  goods to  compel them  to  appear  for  jury  service.  3.  An

equitable process of execution against a corporation that has refused to obey a summons. [Cases:

Execution    15.  C.J.S.  Executions  §  18.]  4.Hist.  An  order,  issued  initially  from  the  Court  of

Exchequer,  then  the  Court  of  Chancery,  and  finally  the  High  Court  of  Justice,  for  someone

interested  in  purchasing  Bank  of  England  stock,  temporarily  restraining  the  bank  officers  from

transferring the stock or paying a dividend on it. • This proceeding was used to prevent fraudulent

dealing by a trustee or other stockholder. The relief was only temporary, and if the bank received a

request from the stockholder to permit a stock deal, the bank had to warn the distringing party to

promptly obtain a restraining order or a writ of injunction, or else the stock deal would go through. [Blacks Law 8th]