Precedence

PATENT OF.

In English law. A grant from the crown to such barristers as it thinks proper to honor with that mark of distinction, whereby they are entitled to such rank apd preaudience as are assigned in their respective patents. 3 Steph. Comm. 274.

The right of being first placed in a certain order, — the first rank being supposed the most honorable. In this country no precedence is given by law to men. Nations, in their intercourse with each other, do not admit any precedence: hence, in their treaties, it is the usage for the powers to alternate, both in the preamble and in the signatures, so that each power occupies, in the copy intended to be delivered to it, the first place. Sometimes signatures are made in alphabetical order of the states which are parties to the act, the French alphabet being adopted for that purpose. 2 Hall. Int. L. 122. In some cases of officers, when one must of necessity act as the chief, the oldest in commission will have precedence: as, when the president of a court is not present, the associate. who has the oldest commission will have a precedence; or if their commissions bear the same date, then the oldest man. In the army and navy there is a regular order of precedence. See Rank. For rules of precedence in England, see Wharf. Law Diet.; Encycl. Br.

See Minister, 3; Precedent; Priority; Privilege; Rank.

is the right of being first placed in a certain order; the first rank being supposed the most honourable. In this country no precedence is given by law to men. Nations, in their mtercourse with each other, do not admit any precedence; hence in their treaties in one copy one is named first, and the other in the other. In some cases of officers when one must of necessity act as the chief, the oldest in commission will have precedence; as when the president of a court is not present, the associate who has the oldest commission will have a precedence; or if their commissions bear the same date, then the oldest man. In the army and navy there ts