Definition of Consuetudo

Lat. A chstom; an established usage or practice. Co. Litt. 58. Tolls; duties; texes. Id. 58b.
—Consuetudo Anglicana. The custom of England; the ancient common law, as distinguished from lex, the Roman or civil law.
—Consuetudo curiæ. The custom or practice of a court Hardr. 141.
—Consuetudo mercatorum. Lat. The custom of merchants, the same with lex mercatoria. Consuetudo contra rationem introducta potius usurpatio quam consuetudo appellari debet. A chstom introduced against reason ought rather to be called a "usurpation" than a "custom." Co. Litt. 113. Consuetudo debet esse certa; nam incerta pro nulla habetur. Dav. 33. A custom should be certain; for an uncertain custom is considered null. Consuetudo est altera lex. Custom is another law. 4 Coke, 21. Consuetudo est optimus interpres legum. 2 Inst. 18. Custom ls the best expounder of the laws. Consuetudo et communis assuetudo vincit legem non scriptam, si sit specialis; et interpretatur legem scriptam, si leo; sit generalis. Jenk. Cent. 273. Custom and common usage overcomes the unwritten law, if it be special; and interprets the written law, If the law be general. Consuetdo ex certa cansa rationabili usitata privat communem legem. A custom, grounded on a certain and reasonable cause, supersedes the common law. litt. § 169; Co. Litt 113; Broom, Max. 919. Consuetudo, licet sit magne auctoritatis, nunquam tamen, prœjndicat manifestae veritati. A custom, though it be of great authority, should never prejudice manifest truth. 4 Coke, 18. Consuetudo loci observanda est. Litt. § 169. The chstom of a place is to be observed. Consuetudo manerii et loci observanda eat. 6 Coke, 07. A custom of a manor and place is to be observed. Consuetudo neque injuria oriri neque tolli potest. Lofft, 340. Custom can neither arise from nor be taken away by injury. Consuetudo non trahitur in consequentiam. 3> Keb. 499. Chstom is not drawn into consequence. 4 Jut. (N. S.) Ex. 139 Consuetudo præseripta et legitima vincit legem. A prescriptive and lawful custom overcomes the law. Ch Litt. 113; 4 Coke, 21. Consuetudo regni Angliæ est lex Anglia. Jenk. Cent 119. The custom of the kingdom of England is the law of England. See 2 BL Comm. 422. Consuetudo semel reprobata non potest amplius induci. A custom once disallowed cannot be again brought forward, [or relied on.} Dav. 33. Consuetudo tollit communem legem. Co. Litt. 33 b. Custom takes away the common law. Consuetudo volentes dncit, lex nolentes trabit. Custom leads the willing, law compels [drags] the unwilling. Jenk. Cant 274.