- Source: Amittere legem terrae
Amittere legem terrae (literally, "to lose the law of the land") is a Latin phrase used in law, signifying the forfeiture of the right of swearing in any court or cause, or to become infamous. Historically, this has been the punishment of champions overcome, or yielding in the combat; of jurors found guilty in a writ of attaint; and of persons outlawed.
This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Chambers, Ephraim, ed. (1728). "Amittere legem terrae". Cyclopædia, or an Universal Dictionary of Arts and Sciences (1st ed.). James and John Knapton, et al.
