Simple English definitions for legal terms
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Debet et detinet: A phrase used in old legal documents that means "he owes and detains." It was used when a creditor sued a debtor and stated that the defendant not only owed the debt but was also holding onto something that belonged to the plaintiff. If the action was brought against someone other than the original debtor, it was called "in the detinet alone."
Definition: Debet et detinet is a legal term that means "he owes and detains." It was used in declarations in actions for debt when the original creditor sued the original debtor. The declaration stated that the defendant "owes to" as well as "detains from" the plaintiff the debt or thing in question.
The examples illustrate how debet et detinet was used in legal actions for debt. It was used to describe the situation where the debtor owed money and was also detaining the creditor's property or money. If the action was brought against someone other than the original debtor, then the action was said to be "in the detinet alone."