Brevia

(plur. of Breve.) L. Lat. Writs. Dicuntur brevia propter eorum brevitatem; they are called writs on account of their brevity.

3 Co. 44.

See Breve. Brevia adversaria; adversary writs; writs brought by an adversary to recover land.

6 Go, 67.

Brevia amicabilia; amicable writs, or those brought by consent and agreement amongst friends. Id, ibid, Brevia formata, or de cursu. L. Lat. Writs of form, or of course. Original writs, the form of which was fixed, and which issued of course without special cause shown.

Bra4:t. fol. 413 b, 202.

Tkel. Dig. lib.

1, c. 2. 4 Reeves* Hist. Eng. Law, 430.

Brevia magistralia. L. Lat. Writs occasionally issued by the masters or clerks^ of chancery, the form of which was varied* to suit the circumstances of each case. Bract, fol.

413 b.

Tkel. Dig. lib.

1, c. 2, 3 Woaddes. Lect. 89.

Breyia tkstata. L. Lat. Short written memoranda, attested hj witnesses, and used in feudal times to perpetuate the tenor of conveyances and investitures, after parol grants had given rise to disputes and uncertainties.

Feud, Lib, 1, t. 4. 2 BL Com. 307.

Their authority rested altogether on the testimony of the witnesses, (who were the neighbors and peers of court) there being no execution or sealing by the parties themselves; {utpote nullius sigillo, sed testium authoritate valida.) Spelman, Blackstone regards our modem deeds as merely improvements or amplifications of these hrevia.

2 BL Com, uh, sup,