Nil

Lat Nothing. A contracted form of "nihil," which sce.

— Nil debet. He owes nothing. The form of the general issue in nil actions of debt on simple contract.

— Nil habuit in tenementis. He had nothing [no interest] in the tenements. A plea in debt on a lease indented, by which the defendant sets up that the person claiming to be landlord had no title or interest.

— Nil ligatam. Nothing bound; that is, no obligation has been incurred. Tray. Lat. Max.

Nothing. A contracted form of the word nihil (q. v.), for phrases and maxims of which nil is the initial word. Nil ligatum. Nothing bound; that is, no obligation has been incurred. Trayn. Max. Nimia subtilitas in jure reprobatur. Too great subtlety in law is disapproved. To this maxim is sometimes added, as a tainty; the meaning of the whole being that the law discountenances subtle and nice objections tending to obstruct or delay justice; for such nice pretence of certainty only confounds real certainty. See, as to the limits of the principle, the maxim, apices juris non sunt jura.