Client

s One who employs a lawyer professionally.

Clientage.

The patronage of clients; professional patronage. A client is one who applies to an advocate for counsel and defense; one who retains an attorney, is responsible to him for his fees, and to whom the attorney is responsible for the management of the suit.* Sergeants and barristers raay ta Ke upon them the protection of suitors, plaintiffs and defendantsr who are therefore called their "clients," like the dependents upon the Roman orators.^ Among the Romans, the '"patron" was the legal adviser of the client, maintained and defended him in his lawsuits — cared for his interests, both public and private. The *' client " contributed toward the marriage portion of the patrbn^s daughter, to his ransom, to the costs and penalties of lost lawsuits, to the expense of any public office held by the patron. Neither could 'accuse, testify or vote against the other. The relation resembled kinship. It was the glory of illustrious families to have many clients.^ See Attorney; Communication, Privileged, 1. " CIjOS!Ei. As a verb and an adjective, preserves its vernacular senses, except in the compound "foreclose," q. v.; as a noun, has the technical meaning noted below. 1, V. (1) To end, terminate, complete: as, to close a bargain or negotiation.' (3) In a statute providing that places where intoxicating liquors are sold shall be ' ' closed on Sundays," the meaning is that sales shall be entirely stopped, the traffic shut off effeot- 1 People V. Fire Commissioners, 78 N. Y. 443 (1878), Allen, J. See also Boss v. Heatheook, S7Wis.

96 (,1888).

2 Sickles V. Mather, 20 Wend. 72, 74 (1888). ^ F. client, a suitor: L. cliens, one who hears, listens to advice. ' Mc Farland v. Crary, 6 Wend. 813 (1830). «3B1.

Com. 28; 3 id.

64. ually, so that drinking and the conveniences of drinking shall be no longer accessible, i A saloon is not "closed," withii the meaning of a l£Lw requiring such places to be closed at certain times, as long as it is possil)le for persons desiring liquor to get in peaceably, whether by an outside entrance or any other, or as long as a customer, who Is inside at the time for closing, remains inside. And it is not important that there is no one attending bar, if the liquor is accessible, nor is it important that no liquor is sold.'

2, adj.

Not proper for public inspection.; hence, sealed on the outside: as, a close writ or roll; opposed to patent in letters-patent.

See Patent, 1 (1).

Not admitting corporators generally to vote for officers: as, a close corporation, q. v. 3, n. An'interest in the soil.' Taking sheaves from another's close is equivalent to a taking from his land." A portion of land, as, a field inclosed by a hedge, fence, or other sensible inclosure.* ' Every imwarrantable entry on another's soil the law entitles a trespass by "breaking his close: " the' words of the writ of trespass commanding the defendant to show cause quare clausum quei-entis /regit. For every man's land is, in law, inclosed' and set apart from his neighbor's land.^ See Clatjsum; Enclosure; Inclose.