Legal Definitions - utlagh

An utlagh is a historical legal term referring to a person who has been declared an outlaw. This meant they were no longer afforded the protection of the law within a particular jurisdiction. An individual declared an utlagh lost all civil rights and legal standing, and could be harmed or even killed without legal consequence for the perpetrator, as they were considered outside the legal system's reach.

• Imagine a medieval village where a person is accused of a serious crime, such as theft, and flees before they can be brought to trial. If the local lord or governing authority formally declares this individual an utlagh, it signifies that they are no longer recognized as a legal person within that territory. They cannot own property, bring a case to court, or expect any legal protection for their life or possessions. Anyone who encounters them could potentially harm them without facing legal repercussions, as the utlagh is considered to be outside the law's protective umbrella.

• Consider a historical kingdom where a powerful noble challenges the king's authority and is defeated in a rebellion. The king might declare this noble and their most loyal followers as utlaghs. This declaration would strip them of their titles, lands, and all legal rights. They would be unable to inherit, enter into contracts, or seek justice in royal courts. Their lives would be forfeit, and anyone could pursue them without fear of legal punishment, effectively making them fair game for capture or execution by loyalists.