KFLCC Kingdom Law 2nd Ed.

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LEX

LEX

tag of the word "law" In some modern phrases, such as the "law of evidence," "law

name of an ancient code of laws among that people, framed, probably, between the fifth and eighth centuries. It continued in force after the incorporation of Lombardy into the empire of Charlemagne, and traces of its laws and in stitutions are said to be still discoverable in some parts of Italy.—Lex mercatoria. The law-merchant. That system of laws which is adopted by all commercial nations, and consti tutes a. part of the law of the land.—Lex Rhodia. The Rhodian law, particularly the fragment of it on the subject of jettison, (de jac tu,) preserved in the Pandects. Dig. 14, 2, 1; 3 Kent. Comm. 232, 233—Lex Salica. The Salic ktw, or law of the SaJian Franks, a Teu tonic race who settled in Gaul in the fifth cen tury. This ancient code, said to have been com piled about the year 420, embraced the laws and customs of that people, and is of great his torical value, in connection with the origins of feudalism and similar subjects. Its most cele brated provision was one which excluded women from the inheritance of landed estates, by an extension of which law females were always ex cluded from succession to the crown of France. Hence this provision, by itself, is often referred to as the "Salic Law."—Lex talionis. The law of retaliation; which requires the infliction uppn a wrongdoer of the same injury which he has caused to another. Expressed in the Mosaic law by the formula, "an eye for an eye; a tooth for a tooth," etc. In modern international law, the term describes the rule by which one state may inflict upon the citizens of another state death, imprisonment, or other hardship, in re taliation for similar injuries imposed upon its own citizens.—Lex Wallensica. The Welsh law; the law of Wales. Blount.—Lex Wisigo thornm. The law of the Visigoths, or Western Goths who settled in Spain; first reduced to writing A. D. 466. A revision of these laws was made by Egigas. Spelman. In old English, law. A body or collection of laws, and particularly the Roman or civil law. Also a form or mode of trial or process of law, as the ordeal or battel, or the oath of a party with compurgators, as in the phrases legem facere, legem vadiare, etc. Also used in the sense of legal rights or civil rights or the protection of the law, as in the phrase legem amittere. —Lex Anglise. The law of England. The common law. Or, the curtesy of England.—Lex amissa. One who is an infamous, perjured, or outlawed person. Bract, lib. 4, c. 19.—Lex apostata. A thing contrary to law. Jacob. —Lex apparens. In old English and Norman law. Apparent or manifest law. A term used to denote the trial by battel or duel, and the trial by ordeal, "lex" having the sense of pro cess of law. Called "apparent" because the plaintiff was obliged to make his right clear by the testimony of witnesses, before he could ob tain an order from the court to summon the de fendant. Spelman.—Lex comitatus. The law of the county, or that administered in the coun ty court before the earl or his deputy. Spelman. —Lex communis. The common law. See Jus COMMUNE.—Lex dairaisnia. The proof of a thing which one denies to be done by him, where another affirms it; defeating the assertion of his adversary, and showing it be against reason or probability. This was used among the old Romans, as well as the Normans. Cowell.—Lex et consuetudo parliament!. The law and custom (or usage) of parliament. The houses of parliament constitute a court not only of leg islation, but also of justice, and have their own rules, by which the court itself and the suitors therein are governed. May, Pari. Pr. (6th Ed.) 38-61.—Lex et consuetudo regni. The law and custom of the realm. One of the names of