Starr (law)

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Starr, or starra, was a term used in pre-fourteenth century England for the contract or obligation of a Jew. It derives from the Hebrew שטר‎ (shtar, "document"). [1] Also, it derives from Latin "stare" i.e. "to stand" whereby "standing" as a principle of law meant than one sued over an perceived obligation.

By an ordinance of Richard I, no English starr or "standing to sue" was valid unless deposited in one of certain repositories, the best-known of which was the King's exchequer at Westminster. [1] It was once speculated that the room where these were kept became known as the "starr-chamber" as a result, [2] although this theory is dismissed by the Oxford English Dictionary.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Henry C. Black, Black's Law Dictionary, rev. 4th ed. 1968, 1578.
  2. ↑ William Blackstone, Blackstone's Commentaries on the Law, 266, 267, note a.


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