Dominus litis

Defined in 4 dictionaries — Ballentine's (1916), Black's (1910), Black's (1891), Burrill (1850)

Ballentine's Law Dictionary

James A. Ballentine · 1916

One controlling a litigation.

Black's Law Dictionary

Henry Campbell Black, M.A. · 1910

Lat. The master of the suit; i. e„ the person who was really and directly interested in the suit as a party, as distinguished from his attorney or advocate. But the term ls also applied to one who, though not originally a party, has made himself such, by intervention or otherwise, and has assumed entire control and responsibility for one side, and ls treated by the court as liable for costs. See In re Stover, 1 Curt. 201, Fed. Cas. No. 13,507.

A Dictionary of Law

Henry Campbell Black · 1891

Lat. The master of the suit; ¢. e., the person who was really and directly interested in the suit as a party, as distinguished from his attorney or advocate. But the term is also applied to one who, though not originally a party, has made himself such, by intervention or otherwise, and has assumed entire control and responsibility for one side, and is treated by the court as liable for costs. See 1 Curt. 201.

A New Law Dictionary and Glossary

Alexander M. Burrill · 1850

Lat.

In the civil law. Literally, owner of a suit; the client or party, as distinguished from the proctor or attorney; he whose suit it was. Dig. 3. 3. 31. pr. The word dominus is said to be here used in an improper sense. 1 Mackeld. Civ. Law, 268, 269, § 259, note. At common law, if a party who had been vouched to warranty (warrantus,) came into court and warranted the tenant, he was thereby made the dominus litis, that is, he took the tenant's place in the defence of the suit. Bract, fol. 260, 349 b. DOMITAE NATURAE. Lat. [domitus, domita, tamed; from domare, to tame; L. Fr. domeste, domesche.] Of a tame or subdued nature or disposition. A phrase applied to tame domestic animals, (as horses, kine, sheep, poultry, &c.,) in which a man may have an absolute property, as distinguished from wild animals. 2 Bl. Com. 390. 2 Kent's Com. 348. 2 Steph. Com. 68. It seems properly applicable to wild animals that have been actually tamed, such as deer, swans, &c. Bract. fol. 9. See Ferae naturae.