Simple English definitions for legal terms
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Term: LEAUTE
Definition: Leaute means legality or being a lawful person. In the past, a lawful person was called legalis homo, which means a person who has all legal rights and can serve as a juror or swear an oath. They were considered "right in court" and had not lost any rights due to being outlawed, excommunicated, or infamous.
Definition: Leaute (low-tay) is a term from Law French that means legality. It refers to the condition of being a lawful man or legalis homo. A legalis homo is a person who has full legal capacity and rights and has not been deprived of any rights in court by outlawry, excommunication, or infamy. They are considered "right in court" or rectus in curia and can serve as jurors and swear oaths.
Examples: A person who has not been convicted of a crime and has not been excommunicated from the church is a legalis homo. They have the right to participate in legal proceedings and serve on a jury. However, a person who has been outlawed or excommunicated is not a legalis homo and cannot participate in legal proceedings.
Explanation: The examples illustrate how a person's legal status affects their ability to participate in legal proceedings. A legalis homo has full legal capacity and rights, while someone who has been outlawed or excommunicated does not. This term was commonly used in medieval times when legal status was closely tied to a person's social status and standing in the community.