Legal Definitions - wager of law

Definition: Wager of law is a historical method of proof in which a person defends against a claim by swearing that the claim is groundless. They also enlist others, called compurgators, to swear to the defendant's credibility.

Example: In the past, if someone was accused of a crime, they could use the wager of law to prove their innocence. They would swear that they were not guilty and then gather a group of people to swear that they believed the defendant was telling the truth. If they could get enough people to support them, they would win the case.

This method of proof was used in many different cultures and was eventually adopted by the church. However, it was abolished in 1833 and is no longer used in modern legal systems.