Legal Definitions - letters

Letters

In a legal context, letters are written requests or messages that are sent to people to ask for help with legal procedures, give authority, or enforce terms. Common types of letters include letter of request, letters of administration, letters rogatory, and letters testamentary.

• A letter of request may be sent to a court asking for a copy of a legal document.
• Letters of administration are given to someone who will manage the estate of a person who has died without a will.
• Letters rogatory are sent to a foreign court to ask for help with a legal case.
• Letters testamentary are given to the executor of a will, giving them the authority to manage the estate of the deceased person.

These examples illustrate how letters are used in legal contexts to request help, give authority, or enforce terms.