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Simple English definitions for legal terms
latitat
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A quick definition of latitat:
Latitat is a type of legal document that was used in the past when someone couldn't be found to answer a lawsuit. It was called latitat because it pretended that the person was hiding in the county, even though they couldn't be found. The document was sent to the sheriff of another county to try and find the person. However, this document is no longer used today.
A more thorough explanation:
Definition: Latitat (lat-uh-tat) is a legal term that refers to a writ issued in a personal action after the sheriff returned a bill of Middlesex with the notation that the defendant could not be found. The writ was called latitat because of its fictitious recital that the defendant lurks about in the county. It was abolished by the Process in Courts of Law at Westminster Act of 1832 (St. 2, Will. 4, ch. 39).
Example: Let's say that John is being sued by Jane in a personal action, but the sheriff returned a bill of Middlesex with the notation that John could not be found. In this case, Jane could issue a latitat writ to call John to answer in the king's bench.
Explanation: The example illustrates how a latitat writ is used in a personal action when the defendant cannot be found in the county of Middlesex. The writ is directed to the sheriff of another county to apprehend the defendant who is supposed to be lurking there.