Parchment - Definition - Law Dictionary Home Dictionary Definition parchment

Definition :

Parchment, skins of sheep dressed for writing [fr. pergamena, Lat.], so called because invented at Pergamus, in Asia Minor, by King Eumenes, when paper, which was in use in Egypt only, was prohibited by Ptolemy to be transported into Asia. It is used for deeds; and was used for writs of summons previously to November 1, 1875. See Judicature Act, 1875, R.S.C. Ord. V., R. 10; Ord. LXVI., R. 3. As to repeal of provision in Coroners Act, 1887, which maintained the use of parchment in the case of inquisitions by coroners of murder and manslaughter till 1916, see Indictments Act, 1915, Sch. II. Indictments may be on durable paper (ibid., Sch. I.).