Legal Definitions - in capite

Term: In Capite
Definition: In Capite is a type of land tenure where a person holds land directly from the Crown. This means that the person is the direct tenant of the Crown and owes certain obligations to the Crown. Examples: - In medieval England, many lords held their land in capite from the king. This meant that they owed certain services to the king, such as military service or payment of taxes. - In modern times, in some countries, certain government officials or judges may hold their positions in capite from the head of state. This means that they are directly appointed by the head of state and owe certain duties to them. Explanation: In Capite is a legal term that refers to a specific type of land tenure. It is important to understand this term in order to understand the legal relationships between the Crown and its tenants. The examples illustrate how this type of tenure has been used historically and how it is still used in some modern contexts.