Abiding By Plea

in the English law. A defendant who pleads a frivolous plea, or a plea merely for the purpose of ‘delaying the suit; or who, for the same purpose, shall file a similar demurrer, may be compelled by rule in term time, or by a judge’s order in vacation, either to abide by that plea, or by that demurrer, or to plead peremptorily on the morrow; or if near the end of the term, and in order to afford time for notice of trial, the motion may be made in court for rule to abide or plead instanter; that is within twenty-four hours after rule served, Imp. B. R. 340, provided not abide, he can only plead the general issue. 1 T. R. 693, but he may add notice of set-off. Ib. 694, ° n. See 1 Chit. Rep. 565, n.