Right To Begin
Defined in 3 dictionaries — Cyclopedic (1922), Bouvier (1914), Black's (1910)
The Cyclopedic Law Dictionary
Walter A. Shumaker and George Foster Longsdorf; ed. James C. Cahill · 1922
In practice. The party who asserts the affirmative of an issue has the right to begin.and reply, as on him is the burden of proof. The substantial affirmative, not the verbal, gives the right. 1 Greenl. Ev. § 74; 18 B. Mon. (Ky.) 186; 6 Ohio St. 307; 2 Gray (Mass.) 260.
Bouvier's Law Dictionary and Concise Encyclopedia
John Bouvier; revised by Francis Rawle · 1914
In Practioe. The party who asserts the affirmative of an issue has the right to begin and reply, as on him is the burden of proof. The substantial affirmative, not the verbal, gives the right; 1 Greenl. Ev. § 74. See Opening and Closing.
Black's Law Dictionary
Henry Campbell Black, M.A. · 1910
On the hearing or trial of a cause or the argument of a demurrer, petition, etc., the right to begin is the right of first addressing the court or jury. The right to begin is frequently of importance, as the counsel who bsgins has also the right of replying or having the last word after the counsel on the opposite side has addressed the court or jury. Sweet