Fourcher

Forcher, Foercher. L. Fr. [from fourcher, to divide, or fork.] In old English practice. A term applied to a particular mode of casting essoins by two or more tenants, simul et vicissim; that is, alternately, and in succession, so as to prolong the proceedings, and thereby delay the demandant. For this purpose, when a praecipe was brought against A. and B., A. was essoined and B. appeared, and had idem dies (the same day) given him; at which day A. appeared, but B. cast an essoin; at the dies datus, A. was essoined again and B. appeared, and so alternately. This was called fourcher (that is, to divide,) by essoin, because they divided themselves in delay of the demandant, by essoins and appearances interchangeably.

2 Reeves' Hist. Eng. Law, 122. 2 Inst. 250.

Termes de la ley

This practice was abolished by statute Westminster 1, ch.

43.