Legal Definitions - diem clausit extremum

Definition: Diem Clausit Extremum is a legal term that means "he closed his last day." It refers to two types of writs used in the past:

1. A chancery writ used to determine the amount and value of land owned by a chief tenant of the Crown after their death, to determine the next heir, and to reclaim the property for the Crown. This was called an inquisition post mortem.
2. An Exchequer writ used to investigate a Crown debtor's place of death and amount of property owned, and to levy the property of the deceased's heirs and executors.

For example, if a person who held land from the king died, the writ of diem clausit extremum would be used to determine who would inherit the land and how much it was worth. This helped the Crown to reclaim any land that was owed to them. Similarly, if a person owed money to the Crown and died, the writ would be used to investigate their assets and collect any debts owed.