Open
A Dictionary of Law · Henry Campbell Black · 1891
A Dictionary of Law
1.
To open a case is to begin it; to make an initiatory explanation of its features to the court, jury, referee, etc., by outlining the nature of the transaction on which it is founded, the questions involved, and the character and general course of the evidence to be adduced.
2.
To open a court is to make a formal announcement, usually by the crier, that its session has now begun, and that the business before the court will be proceeded with.
3.
To open a legal document, e.g., a deposition, is to break the seals by which it was secured, and lay it open to view, or to bring it into court ready for use.
4.
To open a judgment, decree, or similar act of a court is to lift the bar of finality which it imposes, so as to allow a party who is entitled to such relief to proceed to a re-examination of the merits.
5.
To open a street or highway is to establish it and make it available to public travel.
6.
To open a rule or order is to revoke the action by which it was made final or absolute, and give an opportunity to show cause against it.
7.
To open bids received on a judicial sale of property is to reject or cancel them for fraud or other cause, and direct a resale.