“Statute of”

law enacted in England in 1677 to prevent fraud and perjuries by parties seeking to hold another to an alleged obligation. The original law is the basis of statutes that have been enacted in all U.S. states. It required various contracts and causes of action to be evidenced by a writing signed by the party to be charged or by a lawfully authorized agent. Under the original Statute of Frauds, all leases, estates, and interests in land had the effect of estates at will unless evidenced by writing, with the exception of leases for three years or less; such leases, estates, or interests were not to be assigned, granted, or surrendered unless by means of a writing, except when occurring by operation of law. Trusts in land were held to the same basic terms. Causes of action based on a promise to marry or to answer for damages or for the debt, default, or improper or negligent conduct of another were to be evidenced in writing. Contracts for the sale of land were to be in writing; and contracts for the sale of goods above a certain amount were to be evidenced by the receipt of goods or giving of value by the buyer or by writing. Contracts that could possibly be performed in a year did not need to be in writing.

: statute of limitations

: a statute establishing a period of time from the accrual of a cause of action (as upon the occurrence or discovery of an injury) within which a right of action must be exercised compare laches, statute of repose

: mortmain statute

: a statute that bars a cause of action after a period of time running from a particular act (as the delivery of a product) or event even if the cause of action has not accrued (as upon discovery of a defect)