Legal Definitions - in pleno comitatu

In pleno comitatu is a Latin legal phrase that translates to "in full county court" or "in open county." It refers to an action, declaration, or proceeding that took place publicly within the official assembly or court of a county. This term is historical and emphasizes that an act was performed with the full authority and public knowledge of the county's legal or administrative body, rather than privately or in a limited setting.

• Example 1: Historical Land Transfer

  Imagine a historical situation where a significant parcel of land was being formally transferred from one landowner to another. To ensure the transfer was legally recognized and publicly acknowledged, the deed of conveyance was presented and recorded in pleno comitatu.

  This illustrates the term because the land transfer was not merely a private agreement between two individuals. By being declared and recorded "in full county court," it gained the official sanction and public record of the county's legal authority, making the change of ownership binding and known to the entire community.

• Example 2: Public Oath of Office

  In a historical county, when a new official, such as a sheriff or a magistrate, was appointed, they were often required to take an oath of office. This oath was administered in pleno comitatu.

  This demonstrates the term's meaning because the oath was not taken in secret but publicly before the assembled county court or its representatives. This public act ensured that the community was aware of the new official's commitment to uphold the law, lending full public and legal authority to their position within the county.

• Example 3: Formal County Decree

  Consider a dispute between two villages within a county regarding the use of a shared resource, like a river. After hearing arguments from both sides, the county's governing body or court issued a formal decree to resolve the conflict. This decree was pronounced in pleno comitatu.

  Here, the term signifies that the county court's final judgment was delivered publicly and officially, with the full authority of the county's legal assembly. This made the decision a binding and publicly recognized decree for all parties concerned, ensuring its enforcement across the county.