Legal Definitions - darrein

Darrein is an archaic legal term meaning the last or the most recent.

While not commonly used in modern legal language, it appears in historical legal texts and refers to the final or most recent occurrence of an event, action, or document in a sequence.

Here are some examples illustrating the meaning of darrein:

• Darrein Will: Imagine a situation where an individual created several different wills throughout their life. Upon their passing, a court would need to identify the darrein will. This refers to the last valid will that was executed, as it would typically supersede all previous versions and dictate how the deceased person's assets should be distributed. The term highlights which document is the final, authoritative one in a series.

• Darrein Pleading: In a complex lawsuit that involves multiple rounds of legal documents being filed by both sides, a judge might refer to the darrein pleading. This would be the most recent formal document submitted by a party, such as a complaint, answer, or motion, that outlines their claims or defenses. It signifies the latest official statement or argument presented to the court in the ongoing legal process.

• Darrein Payment: Consider a long-standing debt with a history of partial payments. If there's a dispute about the total amount still owed, a legal review might focus on the darrein payment. This refers to the most recent payment made towards the debt, which could be crucial for calculating the remaining balance or determining if a statute of limitations has been reset. It pinpoints the final transaction in a series of financial actions.