billa vera

English

Etymology

From the Latin, literally "the bill is true".

Noun

billa vera (uncountable)

(law) Signifying that a presenter has furnished probable evidence, and is worthy of further consideration, presented to a party to indict them of the crime, and legally must confess or follow through the indictment.

Usage notes

Historically, a grand inquest impaneled and swore before the Justices in Eyre, etc, endorsing a bill whereby any crime punishable in that court is presented to them, with the phrase billa vera.

References

1728, Cyclopaedia, a publication in the public domain.

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