Simple English definitions for legal terms
Read a random definition: minister plenipotentiary
A clam is a way of doing something secretly or covertly, especially in Roman and civil law. It refers to an act committed with the intention of concealing it to avoid liability. For example, if someone occupies or alters someone else's property without their knowledge, it is considered a clam. In Roman law, an interdictum quod vi aut clam is an interdict issued against a person who forcibly or secretly altered or occupied the claimant's property. The defendant is required to restore the property to its previous condition.
Definition: secretly; covertly. Under Roman law, an act (such as occupying or altering the condition of someone else's property) was committed clam when it was done with the intent to conceal it in an effort to avoid liability.
Example: In Roman law, if someone secretly occupied or altered someone else's property, they could be issued an interdictum quod vi aut clam, which required them to restore the property to its previous condition.
Explanation: The term clam refers to doing something secretly or covertly, with the intention of avoiding liability. The example illustrates how under Roman law, if someone committed an act clam, they could be held liable and required to restore the property to its previous condition.
claim the floor | clamea admittenda in itinere per attornatum