Simple English definitions for legal terms
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A droit-close is a legal document that a tenant in ancient demesne could use to sue their lord. This was done if the tenant held land by charter in fee simple, in fee-tail, for life, or in dower.
DROIT-CLOSE
Droit-close is a legal term that refers to a writ used in ancient times to protect the rights of tenants who held land by charter in fee simple, fee-tail, for life, or in dower. The writ was used against a lord who was not respecting the tenant's rights.
An example of a situation where a droit-close writ might be used is if a tenant held land by charter in fee simple, but the lord of the manor was trying to take away their rights to the land. The tenant could use the writ to protect their rights and prevent the lord from taking their land.
Another example might be if a tenant held land in dower, but the lord of the manor was trying to force them to give up their rights to the land. The tenant could use the writ to protect their rights and prevent the lord from taking their land.
These examples illustrate how the droit-close writ was used to protect the rights of tenants who held land by charter in various ways. It was an important legal tool that helped to ensure that tenants were treated fairly and that their rights were respected.