Simple English definitions for legal terms
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Term: SOCA
Definition: Soca is a word that refers to a type of legal privilege granted to a seigniory, which allows them to hold a tenant's court. It also refers to the territory that is subject to this private jurisdiction. Another word for soca is soke or sac. It is sometimes spelled as fold soc. This term is related to faldage, which is a type of feudal tax.
SOCA
Soca is a shortened form of the word "soc" which means a liberty of exercising private jurisdiction. It is a privilege granted to a seigniory of holding a tenant's court. It also refers to the territory subject to such private jurisdiction.
1. The lord of the manor had the power of soca over his tenants, which meant he could hold a court to settle disputes and collect fines.
2. The soca of the seigniory extended over several villages.
These examples illustrate how soca was a legal term used in medieval times to describe the power and authority of a lord over his tenants. The lord had the right to hold a court and make decisions about disputes and collect fines. The territory subject to this jurisdiction was known as the soca or soke.