Puis

In law French, afterwards; since. Pui3 darrein continuance.

Since last continuance

This phrase was applied, in the common-law system of pleading, to designate a plea which the defendant was allowed to put in after issue joined, for the purpose of setting jip some new matter of defence which had arisen, or some matter which had first come to his knowledge after joinder of issue. Such a plea was termed a plea puis darrein continuance, in reference to the practice of entering continuances of the cause on record at each step in the proceeding; the new matter being alleged to have arisen or been discovered since the last continuance. The term continued in use after the entry of continuances was abolished in English practice, and pleas of this nature were more properly designated pleas to the further maintenance of the action. The object of such a plea is accomplished, under many American codes of procedure and practice acts, by a supplemental pleading. Under the English judicature acts, a ground of defence arising after action brought, but before the defendant has delivered his statement of defence, and before the time limited for his doing so has expired, may be pleaded by the defendant in his statement of defence. And any ground of defence arising after the defendant has has expired, may be pleaded within eight days after such ground of defence has arisen.

See act of 1875, sched. 1, order 20, rules 1, 2.