Simple English definitions for legal terms
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Testatum: A legal document that allows a person to seize someone or their property in another county. It is issued after a ground writ and is directed to the sheriff of the county where the defendant or their property is located. It is also known as a testatum bill or latitat. The testatum clause is a part of the document that shows the name of a witness who witnessed the drafting of the document.
Definition: Testatum is a Latin term that means "attested." In history, it refers to a writ issued in a county where a defendant or their property is located when the venue lies in another county. This writ allows the seizure of the defendant or their property in another county after a ground writ has been issued.
Example: If a person owes money to someone in a different county and refuses to pay, the creditor can obtain a ground writ in their county. If the debtor moves to another county, the creditor can then obtain a testatum writ in the new county, allowing them to seize the debtor's property to satisfy the debt.
The example illustrates how a testatum writ can be used to enforce a judgment against a defendant who has moved to another county.