Blacks Law Dict. 1st ed

BErEBENDO SINGULA, ETC.

1011

REGAL FISH

REFERENDO SINGULA SINGU LIS. Lat. Beferring individual or separate words to separate subjects; making a dis tributive reference of words in an instru ment; a rule of construction. REFERENDUM. In international law. A communication sent by a diplomatic rep resentative to his home government, in re gard to matters presented to him which he is unable or unwilling to decide without fuither instructions. In the modern constitutional law of Switz erland, the referendum is a method of sub mitting an important legislative measure to a direct vote of the whole people. See PLE BISCITE. REFORM. To correct, rectify, amend, remodel. Instruments inter partes may be reformed, when defective, by a court of equity. By this is meant that the court, after ascertaining the real and original intention of the parties to a deed or other instrument, (which intention they failed to sufficiently express, through some error, mistake of fact, or inadvertence,) will decree that the in strument be held and construed as if it fully and technically expressed that intention. It is to be observed that "reform" is sel dom, if ever, used of the correction of defect ive pleadings, judgments, decrees or other ju dicial proceedings; "amend" being the proper term for that use. Again, "amend" seems to connote the idea of improving that which may have been well enough befoie, while "reform" might be considered as properly applicable only to something which before was quite worthless. REFORM ACTS. A name bestowed on the statutes 2 Wm. IV. c. 45, and 30 & 31 Viet. c. 102, passed to amend the representa tion of the people in England and Wales; which introduced extended amendments into the system of electing members of the house of commons. REFORMATION. See REFORM. REFORMATORY. This term is of too wide and uncertain signification to support a bequest for the building of a "boys' re formatory." It includes all places and in stitutions in which efforts are made either to cultivate the intellect, instruct the con science, or improve the conduct; places in which persons voluntarily assemble, receive instruction, and submit to discipline, or are detained therein for either of these purposes by force. 49 Conn. 35.

REFORMATORY SCHOOLS. In En glish law. Schools to which convicted juve nile offenders (under sixteen) may be sent by order of the court before which they are tried, if the offense be punishable with penal servi tude or imprisonment, and the sentence be to imprisonment for ten days or more. Wharton. REFRESHER. In English law. A fur ther or additional fee to counsel in a long case, which may be, but is not necessarily, allowed on taxation. REFRESHING THE MEMORY. The act of a witness who consults his documents, memoranda, or books, to bring more dis tinctly to his recollection the details of past events or transactions, concerning which he is testifying. REFUND. To repay or restore; to re turn money had by one party of another. REFUNDING BOND. A bond given to an executor by a legatee, upon receiving payment of the legacy, conditioned to refund the same, or so much of it as may be neces sary, if the assets prove deficient. REFUNDS. In the laws of the United States, this term is used to denote sums of money received by the government or its offi cers which, for any cause, are to be refunded or restored to the parties paying them; such as excessive duties or taxes, duties paid on goods destroyed by accident, duties received on goods which are re-exported, etc. REFUSAL. The act of one who has, by law, a right and power of having or doing something of advantage, and declines it. REFUTANTIA. In old records. An acquittance or acknowledgment of renounc ing all future claim. Cowell. REG. GEN. An abbreviation of "Regu la Generalis," a general rule, (of court.) REG. JUD. An abbreviation of "Regis trum Judiciale," the register of judicial writs. REG. LIB. An abbreviation of "Reg istrarii Liber, " the register's book in chan cery, containing all decrees. REG. ORIG. An abbreviation of "Reg istrum Originate," the register of original writs. REG. PL. An abbreviation of "Regula Placitandi," rule of pleading. REGAL FISH. Whales and sturgeons.

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