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Writ vs Decree - What's the difference?

writ | decree |

In lang=en terms the difference between writ and decree

is that writ is a written order, issued by a court, ordering someone to do (or stop doing) something while decree is the determination of a cause in a court of admiralty or court of probate.

writ

English

(wikipedia writ)

Noun

(en noun)
  • (legal) A written order, issued by a court, ordering someone to do (or stop doing) something.
  • authority, power to enforce compliance
  • * '>citation
    • We can't let them take advantage of the fact that there are so many areas of the world where no one's writ runs.
  • (obsolete) that which is written; writing
  • * Spenser
    • Then to his hands that writ he did betake, / Which he disclosing read, thus as the paper spake.
  • * Knolles
    • Babylon, so much spoken of in Holy Writ

    Derived terms

    * drop the writ * Holy Writ * writ of habeas corpus

    References

    * Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia (Webster)

    Verb

    (head)
  • (dated, nonstandard)
    • (Dryden)
  • * (Omar Khayyam) (in translation)
    • The moving finger writes, and having writ , not all your piety or wit can lure it back to cancel half a line

    Usage notes

    * The form writ'' survives in standard dialects only in the phrase ''writ large , though it remains common in some dialects (e.g. Scouse).

    Related terms

    * writ large ----

    decree

    English

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • An edict or law.
  • * Bible, Luke ii. 1
    • There went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.
  • * Shakespeare
    • Poor hand, why quiverest thou at this decree ?
  • (legal) The judicial decision in a litigated cause rendered by a court of equity.
  • (legal) The determination of a cause in a court of admiralty or court of probate.

    • Usage notes

    * It is accurate to use the word judgment' for a decision of a '''court of law''', and '''decree''' from a ' court of equity , although the former term now includes both.

    Derived terms

    * (l) * (l) * (l) * (l)

    Verb

    (d)
  • To command by a decree.
    • A court decrees a restoration of property.
  • * Bible, Job xxii. 28
    • Thou shalt also decree a thing, and it shall be established unto thee.

    Anagrams

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