Deed Poll - Definition - Law Dictionary Home Dictionary Definition deed-poll

Definition :

Deed-poll, a single deed in the form of a manifesto or declaration to all the world of the grantor's act and intention. If there be no recital it usually speaks in the first person, but where recitals are introduced it speaks in the third person. See DEED.

A deed poll is a deed made by and expressing the active intention of one party only, or made by two or more persons joining together in expressing a common active intention of them all. A deed poll is so called because the parchment required for such deeds has usually been shared even which evidences some act or agreement between them other than the mere consent to join in expressing the same active intention on the part of all. An indenture derives its name from the fact that the parchment on which such a deed was written was indented or cut with a waving or indented line at the top. Co Litt 229, Halsbury's Laws of England 13, para 3, p. 5.