Legal Definitions - narrator

Historically, in English law, a narrator was a legal professional responsible for drafting formal legal documents, particularly the initial statements or "pleadings" that outlined a party's case in court. These individuals were skilled in presenting the facts and legal arguments in the precise format required by the courts of their era.

Here are some examples illustrating the role of a narrator:

• Imagine a medieval lord seeking to reclaim land he believed was wrongfully occupied by a neighboring baron. The lord would engage a narrator to prepare the formal legal document, known as a "narration" or "count," which meticulously detailed his claim, the history of the land, and the legal basis for its return. This document would be the foundation of the lord's case in court.

  This example illustrates a narrator's role in articulating a plaintiff's initial legal claim, setting out the facts and legal arguments in a structured pleading.

• Consider a merchant in the 13th century who had supplied goods to another party but had not received payment. To initiate legal action for debt recovery, the merchant would consult a narrator. The narrator would then draft the necessary legal papers, formally stating the amount owed, the circumstances of the debt, and the merchant's demand for restitution. These documents would serve as the official record of the dispute presented to the court.

  Here, the narrator is shown as the expert who translates a client's grievance (unpaid debt) into the formal legal language and structure required to commence a lawsuit.

• Suppose a commoner was accused of trespassing on royal forest land. If they wished to present a defense, they might seek the assistance of a narrator. This legal expert would then formulate a formal response, or "plea," on behalf of the commoner, perhaps arguing that the land was not royal forest, or that the commoner had a customary right to be there. This document would counter the initial accusation and present the defendant's side of the story to the court.

  This example demonstrates the narrator's function in preparing defensive pleadings, formally responding to accusations and presenting counter-arguments within the legal framework of the time.