non detinet

1 definition found

non detinet - Bouvier's Law Dictionary, Revised 6th Ed (1856) :

  NON DETINET, pleading. The general issue in an action of detinue. Its form 
  is as follows:: And the said C D, by E F, his attorney, comes and defends 
  the wrong and injury, when, &c., and says, that he does not detain the said 
  goods and chattels (or, deeds and writings,' according to the subject of the 
  action,) in the said declaration specified, or any part thereof, in manner 
  and form as the said A B bath above complained. And of this the said C D 
  puts himself upon the country." 
       2. In debt on simple contract, in the case of executors and 
  administrators, instead of pleading nil debet, the plea should be "doth, not 
  detain.". 6 East, R. 549; Bac. Abr. Pleas, I; 1 Chit. PI. 476. 3. The plea 
  of non detinet merely puts in issue the simple fact of detainer; when the 
  defendant relies upon a justifiable detainer, he must plead it specially. 8 
  D. P C. 347.