Legal Definitions - half-seal

The term half-seal refers to a specific historical mark or impression used by the English Court of Chancery. Its purpose was to officially authenticate certain documents, known as "commissions," which were formal authorizations. These commissions were sent to the Court of Delegates, an appellate court that heard appeals from ecclesiastical (church law) or maritime (sea law) courts. The use of the half-seal ceased in 1832 when the Court of Delegates was abolished, making it an obsolete legal practice.

Here are some examples illustrating how the half-seal would have been used:

• Imagine a dispute in the early 19th century concerning the validity of a will, where the challenge was based on ecclesiastical law—perhaps a question about a religious vow affecting inheritance. After an initial ruling by a church court, if the decision was appealed, the Court of Chancery would issue a formal document, a commission, authorizing the Court of Delegates to hear the appeal. This crucial document would have been authenticated with the application of a half-seal.

  This example demonstrates the half-seal's role in validating the transfer of an appeal from an ecclesiastical court to the Court of Delegates.

• Consider a case from the late 18th century involving a ship owner appealing a decision made by a maritime court regarding a collision at sea and the resulting damage to cargo. For the Court of Delegates to officially take up this appeal, the Court of Chancery would have prepared a commission outlining the details of the case and authorizing the Delegates to proceed. This official authorization would have been stamped with a half-seal to confirm its authenticity.

  This illustrates how the half-seal was essential for authenticating commissions related to appeals originating from maritime law cases.