Legal Definitions - processum continuando

Processum continuando is a Latin term that means "for continuing process." In legal history, it refers to a writ that allowed the continuation of a legal case after the death of a justice who was authorized to review cases by a commission of oyer and terminer.

For example, if a judge who was reviewing a case under a commission of oyer and terminer died before the case was resolved, the parties involved could use a processum continuando writ to continue the legal process with a new judge.

Another example would be if a defendant died before the case was resolved, the plaintiff could use a processum continuando writ to continue the case against the defendant's estate.

These examples illustrate how the processum continuando writ was used to ensure that legal cases could continue even if there were changes in the personnel involved in the case.