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Simple English definitions for legal terms
petition de droit
Read a random definition: substantial-continuity doctrine
A quick definition of petition de droit:
A petition de droit is a type of legal document that was used in England to protect people's rights. It was one of the four important documents that helped establish English liberty. The petition stated that no one could be forced to give money or pay taxes without the agreement of the parliament. It was also used as a way for people to claim that the Crown owed them money or had taken their property unfairly. Even though the petition was addressed to the Crown, the courts would decide if the claim was valid, just like in a regular court case.
A more thorough explanation:
A petition de droit is a legal term that refers to a type of petition that can be made by a subject to claim that a debt is owed by the Crown or that the Crown has broken a contract or wrongfully detained the subject's property. This type of petition is addressed directly to the Crown, but the courts adjudicate the claim just as in an action between private parties.
For example, if a subject believes that the Crown has wrongfully taken their property, they can file a petition de droit to claim that the Crown has breached their rights. The court will then hear the case and make a decision based on the evidence presented.
The term "petition of right" is sometimes used interchangeably with "petition de droit." It is also important to note that the Petition of Right is one of the four great charters of English liberty, which established that no man should be compelled to make or yield any gift, loan, benevolence, tax, or such like charge, without common consent by act of parliament.