De Plano

Lat. On the ground; on alevel. A term of the Roman law descriptive of the method of hearing causes, when the pretor stood on the ground with the snitors, instead of the more formal method when he oceupied a bench or tribunal; hence informal, or summary.

Lat. A L. Lat.

In the civil law. Without form; in a sunmiary manner. The praetor was said to administer justice in this way, {de piano cognoscere,) when he did so standing on the ground, or on the same level with the suitors, instead of occupying a tribunal, {pro tr^mnali,) elevated seat, or bench, as it was termed in the English law. See Bench. The Fr. de plain (q. v.) is derived from this.

In the common law. Clearly, manifestly. The phrase is used in this classical sense in the statute De Bigamis, 4 Edw. I. By covin, or collusion. Stat. Westm. 2, c. 4. This did not mean by default. Id. ibid. 2/n«<. 349. ^q 2 Reeves* Hist. l^\. 4 Id. 23, 34, 36. DE PLEGnS ACQUIETANDIS, Breve. L. Lat. Writ for acquitting or rdeasing pledges. A [writ that laj for a surety against him for whom he had become surety for the payment of a certam sum of money at a certain day, where the latter had not paid the money at the appointed day, and the surety was compelled to pay it. Beg. OHg, 158. F:N. B, 137 C. 3 Reeves' Hist, 65.