Middlesex, Bill Of

Middlesex, Bill of, a writ anciently resorted to by the Court of King's Bench, in order to enlarge its jurisdiction in civil causes, which was formerly confined to actions of trespass, or other injury alleged to have been committed vi et armis. But it might always hold pleas of any civil action other than actions real, provided the defendant was an officer of the Court, or in the custody of the marshal, or prison-keeper of the Court. in proceedings against prisoners or officers of the Court, the actions were said to be commenced by bill, in all other cases by original writ. See 3 Bl. Com. 285; App. xviii. Both are abolished by 2 Wm. 4, c. 39