Bill In Equity

or CHANCERY. In equity pleading. A complaint in writing, under oath, in the nature and style of a petition, addressed to the Chancellor, or judge or judges of a court of equity, setting forth all the facts and circumstances upon which the complaint is founded, and praying for such equitable relief, or for such decree as the party may conceive himself entitled to, or the court may deem proper to grant. It is the usual mode of instituting a suit in chancery, and consists of certain parts which are fully explained in the books on equity pleading. After the bill has been drawn, signed by the complainant, and his or her solicitor and counsel, and sworn to, it is left with the clerk or other proper officer of the court to be filed, and this is what is termed filing a bill in equity.

3 Bl. Com. 442. See Mitford's Eq. Pl. (by Moulton, ed. 1849,) 7, 35—121, [33—101]. Story's Eq. Pl. §§ 7—48. 1 Daniell's Chanc. Pr. (by Perkins) 351—454. 1 Barbour's Chanc. Pr. 33—47.

Bouvier, h. t. There are many varieties of bills, such as original bills, supplemental bills, bills of revivor, cross bills, bills of discovery, of interpleader, of review, and others, which are explained at length in the authorities above referred to.