Doctors Commons

English Law: Doctors Commons in the Past

A building in London used for a college of civilians. Here the judge of the court of arches, the judge of the admiralty and the judge of the court of Canterbury, with other eminent civilians, reside. Commons signifies, in old English, pittance or allowance; because it is meant in common among societies, as Universities, Inns of Courts, Doctors Commons, etc. There is further information on this topic in this legal reference. The Latin word is, demensum a demetiendo; dividing every one his part Minsheu. It is called Doctors Commons, because the people residing there live in a collegiate commoning together. [1][rtbs name=”history-of-english-law”]

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Notes and References

1. Partialy, this information about doctors commons is based on the Bouvier´s Law Dictionary, 1848 edition. There is a list of terms of the Bouvier´s Law Dictionary, including doctors commons.

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