Execution

The completion, fulfillment, or perfecting of anything, or carrying it into operation and effect. The signing, sealing, and delivery of a deed. The signing and publication of a will. The performance of a contract according to its terms.

In practice. The last stage of a suit, whereby possession is obtained of anything recovered. It is styled "final process," and consists in putting the sentence of the law in force. 3 Bl. Comm. 412. The carrying into effect of the sentence or judgment of a court. Also the name of a writ issued to a sheriff, constable, or marshal, authorizing and requiring him to execute the judgment of the court. At common law, executions are said to be either final or quousque; the former, where complete satisfaction of the debt is intended to be procured by this process; the latter, where the execution is only a means to an end, as where the defendant is arrested on ca. sa.

In criminal law. The carrying into effect the sentence of the law by the infliction of capital punishment. 4 Bl. Comm. 403; 4 Steph. Comm. 470.

In practice. The act or mode of putting the sentence of the law in force, or of carrying into effect the judgment or decree of a court. 3 Bl. Com. 412. A judicial writ, (otherwise termed final process,) founded on a judgment obtained in a civil court, and issued in behalf of the party recovering such judgment, for the purpose of obtaining the satisfaction or full benefit of it. Called by Lord Coke "the life of the law," and "the fruit and life of every suit." 5 Co. 89, 91. There are various kinds of this process, but the two most usual in practice are the fieri facias, and the capias ad satisfaciendum. See Fieri Facias, Capias ad satisfaciendum, Levari facias, Extendi facias, Elegit, Habere facias possessionem, De retorno habendo.