Signet

A seal commonly used for the sign manual of the sovereign. Wharton. The signet is also used for the purpose of civil justice in Scotland. Bell, Diet. SIGNIFICATION (Lat. signum, a sign, facer e, to make).

In French law. The notice given of a decree, sentence, or other judicial act. SIGNIFICAVIT (Lat.)

In ecclesiastical law. When this word is used alone, it means the bishop's certificate to the court of chancery in order to Obtain the writ of excommunication; but where the words writ of significavit are used, the meaning is the same as writ de excommunicato capiendo. 2 Burn, Ecc. Law, 248; Shelf. Mar. & Div. 502.

A seal commonly used for the sign manual of the sovereign. Whart Lex. In Scotland, a seal by which royal warrants connected with the administration of justice were formerly authenticated. See Writers to the Signet. In England, a seal for the authentication of royal grants, affixed to documents before passing the privy seal. Prior to 1848, all letters-patent and other documents, before passing the privy seal, were required first to have the signet affixed, and passed from the signet office to the office of the privy seal where the privy seal was attached. By Act 11 & 12 Viet. c. 82, warrants under the royal sign manual, countersigned by one of the principal secretaries of state, have been made, per se, sufficient authority for the privy seal to be affixed and the signet office has been abolished. Int. Cyc. SIGNIFICATION (Lat 8ignum t a sign, faccre, to make). In French Law. The notice given of a decree, sentence, or other judicial act. SIGNIFICAVIT (Lat.). In Ecclesiastical Law. When this word is used alone, it means the bishop’s certificate to the court of chancery in order to obtain the writ of excommunication; but where the w T 0rds writ of signiflcavit are used, the meaning is the same as writ de excommunicato capiendo. 2 Burn, Eccl. Law 248; Shelf. Marr. & D. 502. Obsolete.

In English law. One of the queen's seals used in sealing private letters and grants under thp sign manual.

See Seal, 1, Great.

One of the king's seals in England, used in sealing his private letters, and all such grants as pass his majesty's hand by bill signed; which seal is always in the custody of the king's secretaries, and there are four clerks of the signet office attending them. In Scotland, the signet is the seal by which the king's letters, and also writs for the purpose of private justice, are authenticated. Hence clerks to the signet, or writers to the signet, in Scotland, are nearly the same as attorneys in England. They were anciently clerks in the office of the secretary of state, by whom writs passing the king's signet were prepared. When, in consequence of the change of the ancient forms of judicial procedure, the signet was applied to writs, summonses, and process in private causes, the new writs, which became requisite, were prepared by the writers to the signet, who have also the privilege of acting as agents or attorneys in causes before the court of session. Jacob.