Legal Definitions - perdonatio utlagariae

Definition: Perdonatio utlagariae (pronounced puh-r-doh-nay-shee-oh ut-luh-gair-ee-ee) is a Latin term used in law that means "pardon of outlawry." It refers to a pardon given to a person who has been outlawed for failing to obey a court's summons. This type of pardon was given to those who voluntarily surrendered.

Example: In medieval times, if a person failed to appear in court after being summoned, they could be declared an outlaw. This meant that they were no longer protected by the law and could be hunted down and punished by anyone. However, if the person decided to surrender themselves to the court, they could be granted a perdonatio utlagariae, which would pardon them for their failure to appear.

Explanation: The example illustrates how perdonatio utlagariae was used in medieval times to pardon those who had been outlawed for failing to obey a court's summons. It shows that the pardon was only given to those who voluntarily surrendered themselves to the court. This type of pardon was important because it allowed people who had been outlawed to regain their legal rights and protections.