Legal Definitions - registrarii liber

The term registrarii liber is a historical Latin phrase that refers to the official book kept by a court registrar in a court of chancery. This book served as the definitive record where all the court's formal decrees, orders, and judgments were meticulously written down and preserved.

Here are some examples illustrating the concept of a registrarii liber:

• Example 1: Resolving a Land Dispute

  Imagine a dispute in 17th-century England where two noble families claimed ownership of the same valuable piece of land. The case was brought before a court of chancery, which, after reviewing all evidence and arguments, issued a decree declaring one family as the rightful owner and outlining the precise boundaries. This official decree, along with any interim orders made during the proceedings, would have been carefully recorded by the court's registrar in the registrarii liber. This entry would serve as the authoritative legal proof of the court's decision regarding the land.

• Example 2: Administering a Deceased Person's Estate

  Consider a situation where a wealthy merchant died without a clear will, leading to complex questions about how his assets should be distributed among his heirs and creditors. A court of chancery might have intervened to oversee the administration of the estate, issuing various orders regarding the sale of property, payment of debts, and distribution of remaining funds. Each of these judicial orders, from the initial appointment of an administrator to the final decree settling the estate, would have been entered into the registrarii liber. This record ensured transparency and provided a permanent account of how the court managed the deceased's affairs.

• Example 3: Enforcing a Contract Through Equity

  Suppose a builder had agreed to construct a unique mansion for a client but then refused to complete the work, even after receiving a substantial down payment. Instead of merely seeking monetary damages, the client might have petitioned a court of chancery for "specific performance"—an order compelling the builder to finish the construction as per the original agreement. If the court granted this request, its decree ordering the builder to complete the project would be formally inscribed in the registrarii liber. This entry would then be the official documentation of the court's equitable intervention to enforce the contract.