Legal Definitions - computus

The term computus refers to a historical legal document, specifically a writ or formal court order. Its purpose was to compel individuals who were entrusted with managing money or assets for others to provide a detailed financial accounting of their activities.

Historically, this writ was used to force fiduciaries—such as guardians managing a minor's inheritance, bailiffs overseeing an estate, receivers handling assets in a dispute, or other types of accountants responsible for funds—to present a comprehensive report of all income, expenditures, and transactions they had conducted on behalf of another party.

Here are some examples illustrating the application of a computus:

• Imagine a scenario where a wealthy merchant passed away, leaving his young children a substantial inheritance. An appointed guardian was tasked with managing these assets until the children reached adulthood. If, upon reaching maturity, one of the children suspected that the guardian had mismanaged the funds or simply wanted a clear understanding of how their inheritance had been handled over the years, they could historically petition the court for a computus. This writ would compel the guardian to present a full, itemized account of all financial dealings related to the inheritance, including investments, expenses, and remaining balances.

• Consider a large landed estate in medieval England. The lord of the manor would often employ a bailiff to manage the agricultural operations, collect rents from tenants, and oversee the estate's finances. If the lord had concerns about the bailiff's honesty or competence, or simply wished for a regular financial review, he could historically initiate a legal action requiring a computus. This would force the bailiff to produce a detailed ledger of all rents collected, crops sold, expenses incurred for labor or supplies, and the overall financial status of the estate under their management.

• In a situation where a business faced bankruptcy, a court might appoint a receiver to take control of its assets, collect outstanding debts, and prepare for the distribution of funds to creditors. If the creditors or other interested parties felt that the receiver was not acting transparently or was delaying the process without justification, they could historically seek a computus. This legal order would require the receiver to provide a complete accounting of all assets seized, debts collected, expenses incurred during the receivership, and a clear plan for the remaining distribution, ensuring accountability for their actions.