Court Hand

In old English practice. The peculiar hand in which the records of courts were written from the earliest period down to the reign of George II. Its characteristics were great strength, compactness, and undeviating uniformity, and its use undoubtedly gave to the ancient record its acknowledged superiority over the modem, in the important quality of durability. Sir James Burrows, speaking of St. 4 Geo. II. c. 26, thus forcibly contrasts this style of writing with that by which it was superseded: "A statute now took place for converting them [common-law pleadings] from a fixed dead language to a fluctuating, living one, and for altering the strong, solid, compact hand, calculated to last for ages, wherein they were used to be written, into a species of handwriting so weak, flimsy and diffuse that many a modern record will hardly outlive its writer, and few perhaps will survive much above a century." 1 Burrows, pref. iv. Sir William Blackstone mentions another disadvantage attending the disuse of the old hand, "whereby the reading of any record that is fifty years old is now become the object of science, and calls for the help of an antiquarian." 3 Bl. Comm. 323. The writing of this hand, with its peculiar abbreviations and contractions, constituted, while it was in use, an art of no little importance, being an indispensable part of the profession of clerkship, as it was called. Two sizes of it were employed — a large and a small hand; the former, called "great court hand," being used for initial words or clauses, the placita of records, etc. Towns. PL passim; Instr. Cler. passim. See "Record." use be permanent or temporary. 65 Ga. 166.

In English law. The hand in which the records of formity; and its use gave to the ancient record its acknowledged superiority over the modern, in the important quality of durability. Court lands: demains, or lands kept in demesne, i. e. in the lord's own hands, to serve his family, v. Court; Curtis; Demesne.

In old English praetice. The peculiar hand in which the reeords of courts were written from the earliest period down to the reign of George il. Its characteristics were great strength, compact ness, and undeviating uniformity; and its use undoubtedly gave to the ancient record its acknowledged superiority over the modern, in the important quality of durability. The writing of this hand, with its peculiar abbreviations and contractions, constituted, while it was in use, an art of no little importance, being an indispensable part of the profession of “clerkship,” as it was called. Two sizes of it were employed, a large anda small hand; the former, called “great court hand,” being used for initial words or clauses, the placita of records, etc. Burrill.

In old English practice. The peculiar hand in which the records of courts were written from the earliest period down to the reign of George II. Its characteristics were ^at stren^fa, compactness, and undeviating uniformity; and its use undoubtedly gave to the ancient record its acknowledged superiority over the modern, in the important quality of durability. Sir James Burrow, speaking of the statute 4 Geo. II. c. 26, thus forcibly contrasts this style of writing with that by which it was superseded. " A statute now took place for converting them [common law pleadings] from a fixed dead language to a fluctuatmg living one; and for altering the strong, solid, compact hand, (calculated to last for ages,) wherein they were used to be written, into a species of handwriting so weak, flimsy and diffuse, that many a modern record will hardly outlive its writer, and few perhaps will survive much above a century." 1 Burr. pref. iv. Sir W. Blackstone mentions another disadvantage attending the disuse of the old hand, " whereby the reading of any record that is fifty, years old is now become the object of science, and calls for the help of an antiquarian." 3 BL Com, 323. The writing of this hand, with its peculiar abbreviations and contractions, constituted, while it was in use, an art of no little importance, being an indispensable part of the profession of clerkship, as it was called. Two sizes of it were employed, a large and a small hand; the former, called greai court hand, being used for inidal words or clauses, the placita of records, dec. Toums. PL passim. See Record.