billa vera
English edit
Etymology edit
From the Latin, literally "the bill is true".
Noun edit
- (law) Signifying that a presenter has furnished probable evidence, and is worthy of further consideration, presented to a party to indict them of the crime, and legally must confess or follow through the indictment.
Usage notes edit
Historically, a grand inquest impaneled and swore before the Justices in Eyre, etc, endorsing a bill whereby any crime punishable in that court is presented to them, with the phrase billa vera.
References edit
- 1728, Cyclopaedia, a publication in the public domain. [1]