Legal Definitions - super statuto

Definition: Super statuto (pronounced soo-per stuh-too-toh) is a legal term from Latin that refers to a writ used in the past against tenants-in-chief who transferred their land without the king's permission. This violated the Statute of Westminster II, chapters 12 and 13.

Example: In medieval England, the king had the power to grant land to his nobles, who were called tenants-in-chief. However, these nobles were not allowed to transfer their land to someone else without the king's permission. If they did, they could be sued using a super statuto writ.

Explanation: The example illustrates how the super statuto writ was used to enforce the Statute of Westminster II, which was a law passed in 1285. This law aimed to prevent the nobles from gaining too much power by limiting their ability to transfer land without the king's permission. The super statuto writ was a legal tool that allowed the king to punish those who violated this law.