Legal Definitions - bonis non amovendis

Definition: Bonis non amovendis is a Latin term that means "of goods not to be moved." It refers to a writ that directs the sheriffs of London to ensure that a defendant's goods are not removed while the defendant's writ of error on a judgment is pending.

Example: If a person is sued and a judgment is made against them, they may file a writ of error to challenge the judgment. During this time, the defendant's goods may be at risk of being removed or sold. To prevent this from happening, the defendant can request a bonis non amovendis writ to protect their property until the writ of error is resolved.

This writ was commonly used in England during the Middle Ages and is an example of how the legal system sought to protect the rights of individuals, even in the face of a judgment against them.