In Camera

A case is said to be heard in camera when the doors of the court are closed and only persons concerned in the case are admitted. This is done when the facts are such as to make a private hearing expedient, as in some divorce cases. The term belongs rather to the English practice in which’ the power to grant private hearings in certain cases is established, though there has been a difference of opinion as to its exact limitations. The term is not much used in the United States. See Open Court. IN CAPITA (Lat)^ To or by the heads or polls. \ Thus, where persons succeed to estates in capita, they take each an equal share; so, where a challenge to a jury Is in capita, it is Com, 861. Per capita Is more commonly used in the former instance. IN CAPITE (Lat). In chief. A tenant in oapite was one who held directly of the crown, 2 Bla. Com. 00, whether by knight’s service or socage.

Chal. R. P. 6.

But tenure in capite was of two kinds, general and special; the first from the king {caput regni), the second from a lord (caput feudi). A holding of an honor in the king’s lands, but not Immediately of him, was yet a holding in capite; Kitch. 127; Dy. 44; Fitzh. N. B. 6.

Abolished by 12 Car. II. c. 24.