billa vera

From Wiktionary, the free dictionary
Jump to navigation Jump to search

English

[edit]

Etymology

[edit]

From the Latin, literally "the bill is true".

Noun

[edit]

billa vera (uncountable)

  1. (law) Signifying that a presenter has furnished probable evidence, and is worthy of further consideration, presented to a party to indict them of the crime, and legally must confess or follow through the indictment.

Usage notes

[edit]

Historically, a grand inquest impaneled and swore before the Justices in Eyre, etc, endorsing a bill whereby any crime punishable in that court is presented to them, with the phrase billa vera.

References

[edit]