Legal Definitions - Statute of Gloucester

The Statute of Gloucester was a law passed in 1278 during the reign of King Edward I in England. It provided for the award of costs in legal actions.

For example, if someone sued another person in court and won the case, the winning party could ask the court to order the losing party to pay for the costs of the lawsuit, such as attorney fees and court fees. This helped to discourage frivolous lawsuits and made it easier for people to seek justice in court.

The Statute of Gloucester was an important development in English legal history because it helped to establish the principle that the losing party in a lawsuit should be responsible for paying the costs of the case. This principle is still followed in many legal systems today.