Praefatus
The Cyclopedic Law Dictionary · Walter A. Shumaker and George Foster Longsdorf; ed. James C. Cahill · 1922
The Cyclopedic Law Dictionary
In old pleadings.
Aforesaid.
Sometimes abbreviated to praefat. and p. fat. See "Praedictus." PRAEFECTUS (Lat.) In the Roman Law. A chief officer; a governor or commander. The tilte of va- In Old English Law. The chief officer of a hundred, and other divisions. Spelman, voc. "Praepositus." PRAEFECTUS VIGILIUM (Lat.) In Roman law. The chief officer of the night watch. His jurisdiction extended to certain offenses affecting the public peace, and even, to larcenies; but he could inflict only s Ught punishments,