Vice
Dictionary of Terms and Phrases Used in American or English Jurisprudence · Benjamin Vaughan Abbott · 1879
Dictionary of Terms and Phrases Used in American or English Jurisprudence
1.
In the law of sales, particularly of sales of animals and slaves, a vice is a defect or fault in the creature sold.
2.
As a prefix to the titles of certain offices, vice often denotes a person wlio may serve in that office, in case of the absence or incapacity, or, in some cases, the death, of the officer. A vice-officer differs from a deputy, who acts for the principal concurrently with him, but as a subordinate; while the vice has no authority while the principal can act, but, when he cannot, becomes clothed with the whole authority of the office. He differs from an officer pro tern., who is generally one chosen after the exigency requiring a substitute has arisen, to meet that exigency only; while vice designates a distinct officer elected or appointed in advance, to flU the office in case of any such exigency which may happen.
Vice-admiral.
An officer in the (English) navy next in rank after the admiral.
Vice-admireilty court
The title of a class of courts, with an admiralty jurisdiction, established by authority of parliament in British possessions beyond the seas.
Vice-chamberlain.
A great officer under the lord chamberlain, who, in the absence of the lord chamberlain, has the control and command of the officers appertaining to that part of the royal household which is called the chamber. Cowel. Vice-chancellor. A class of judges in equity courts have had this title, — apparently because originally appointed to act in the place of the chancellor. They have, however, held independent courts, though subject to review and reversal by the chancellor.
Vice-comes.
A title formerly bestowed on the sheriff of a county, when he was regarded as the deputy of the count or earl.
Vice-consul.
One who acts in the place of, i. e. as substitute for, a consul, with legal authority.
Vice-gerent.
A deputy or lieutenant. At the present day a vernacular ment of the United States, the vicepresident is an officer elected at the same time with the president; and he must possess the same qualifications. And the constitution provides that, in case of the removal of the president from office, or of his death, resignation, or inability to discharge the duties of the office, the same shall devolve on the vice-president. Const, art.
2, § 1, subd. 5.
The vice-president is, before he is called upon to assume the office of president, the presiding officer in the senate.
2.
In many corporations, the articles or by-laws provide for a vice-president to act in the place of the president, when the latter cannot act.