Legal Definitions - Duke of York's Laws

Duke of York's Laws were a set of laws compiled in 1665 by Governor Nicholls for the orderly government of the New York colony. These laws were gradually extended to the entire province.

Dulocracy is a type of government in which servants or slaves have so many privileges that they essentially rule. It is also spelled doulocracy.

Duly means in a proper manner or in accordance with legal requirements.

Dumb bidding is an auction bidding process in which the minimum acceptance price is placed under the object for sale, unbeknownst to the bidders, and no bids are accepted until they meet that price. This practice was initially intended to avoid the taxes imposed on auction sales by the statute of 1779, but the courts determined that the practice was fraudulent.

Dum fervet opus means while the action is fresh or in the heat of action. This term usually referred to matters of testimony.

Dum fuit infra aetatem is a writ allowing a person of full age to recover lands feoffed while the person was an infant. The remedy was also available to the person's heirs. It was later replaced by the action of ejectment.

Dum fuit in prisona is a writ restoring a man to his estate after he transferred the estate under duress of imprisonment.

Dummodo means so that or provided that. This term was used as a limitation in conveyances, as in dummodo solverit talem redditum, meaning “provided he shall pay such a rent.”

Dummodo constet de persona means provided it be evident who is the person meant. This term was used in historical legal contexts.