Simple English definitions for legal terms
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Extent: In the past, when someone owed money to the government or a creditor, a special legal document called a writ of extent could be issued. This allowed the person owed money to take the debtor's property, including their land, goods, or even their body, to pay off the debt. Sometimes, a creditor could also get a writ called an extendi facias, which let them take temporary possession of the debtor's property, especially their land.
Definition: Extent is a legal term that refers to the seizure of property in execution of a writ. It can also refer to a writ issued by the Exchequer to recover a debt owed to the Crown, under which the debtor's lands, goods, or body could all be seized to secure payment. Additionally, it can refer to a writ giving a creditor temporary possession of the debtor's property, especially land.
These examples illustrate how extent is a legal term used to describe the seizure of property in order to secure payment of a debt. It shows how the government or a creditor can use a writ of extent to take possession of a debtor's property, such as their land or goods, to ensure that the debt is paid.