Simple English definitions for legal terms
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The writ system was a way of starting a legal case in the past. The person who wanted to sue someone else had to get a special document called a writ. This document would tell the court what the case was about and who was involved. It was like a ticket to start a legal case. Different types of writs were used for different types of cases.
Definition: The writ system was a procedural system used in common law where a plaintiff would start a legal action by obtaining the appropriate type of original writ.
Example: If someone wanted to sue another person for trespassing on their property, they would need to obtain a writ of trespass from the court. This writ would then be served to the defendant, who would have to appear in court to defend themselves.
Explanation: The writ system was a way for plaintiffs to initiate legal action in common law. The type of writ obtained would depend on the nature of the claim being made. The example of a writ of trespass illustrates how a plaintiff would use this system to start a legal action against someone who had trespassed on their property.