Beaupleader

Beavpleder, Bewpleader. [Fr. beauplaider; L. Lat. depulchre placitando; from beau, pulcker, fair, and plaider, placitare, to plead.] In old practice. Fair pleading; apt or correct pleading; or, according to Mr. Reeves, the fair or favorable hearing of a plea, or suit. See infra. Fines were anciently imposed by courts in England, for beaupleader, {pro pulchre placitando,) or fair pleading.

The statute of Marlebridge, 62 Hen. III. c.

11, (affirmed by statute Westm. l,c. 8,) ordained that such fines should no longer be taken, and gave a writ directed to the sheriff, bailiff, or whoever would demand the fine, prohibiting him from demanding it.

Cowell. 2 Reeves* Hist. Eng, Law, 70.

Thi common explanation of these terms in the old books is not very satisfactory. It is said by Fitzherbert that the fine for beaupleader meant a fine for not pleading fairly, or aptly to the purpose.