Simple English definitions for legal terms
Read a random definition: King's silver
Term: LAIRWITE
Definition: A fine paid to the lord of the manor for committing adultery or fornication, especially with the lord's female villeins. It was a privilege of the lord to receive this fine. Other terms for it include lairesite, lecherwite, legerwite, leirwita, leyerwite, legenita, and legruita.
Definition: A fine for adultery or fornication paid to the lord of the manor; especially, a lord's privilege of receiving a fine for fornication with the lord's female villeins.
Example: In medieval times, if a man had sexual relations with a female villein who belonged to the lord of the manor, he would have to pay a lairwite as a fine to the lord.
This example illustrates how lairwite was a way for lords to control the sexual behavior of their female villeins and to profit from it.
Definition: Laymen; a jury.
Example: In a trial during the Middle Ages, the lais gents were responsible for deciding the guilt or innocence of the accused.
This example shows how lais gents were a group of laymen who were chosen to serve on a jury and make important legal decisions.
Definition: Governmental abstention from interfering in economic or commercial affairs. The doctrine favoring such abstention.
Example: The laissez-faire approach to economics suggests that the government should not regulate businesses and instead allow the free market to operate on its own.
This example illustrates how laissez-faire is a philosophy that advocates for minimal government intervention in economic affairs, allowing businesses to operate freely without interference.