BAILIFF - a law enforcement officer,
usually a sheriff, marshal or constable, assigned
to a courtroom to keep peace and assist the judge,
courtroom clerks, witnesses and jury. A court attendant
whose actual duties vary according to jurisdiction
and judge but often include maintaining order in the
courtroom.
A person who has, by delivery, the custody and administration
of lands or goods for the benefit of the owner or
bailor, and is liable to render an account thereof.
The word is derived from the old French word bailler,
to bail, that is, to deliver. Originally, the word
implied the delivery of real estate, as of land, woods,
a house, a part of the fish in a pond; but was afterwards
extended to goods and chattels. Every bailiff is a
receiver, but every receiver is not a bailiff. Hence
it is a good plea that the defendant never was receiver,
but as bailiff.
From a bailiff is required administration, care,
management, skill. He is, therefore, entitled to allowance
for the expense of administration and for all things
done in his office, according to his own judgment,
without the special direction of his principal, and
also for casual things done in the common course of
business.
Magistrates who formerly administered justice in
the parliaments or courts of France, answering to
the English sheriffs. There are still bailiffs of
particular towns in England as the bailiff of Dover
Castle, etc., otherwise bailiffs are now only officers
or stewards, etc. as Bailiffs of liberties, appointed
by every lord within his liberty, to serve writs,
etc.
Bailiff Errent Or Itenerant, appointed to go about
the country for the same purpose.
Sheriff 's Bailies, sheriff's officers to execute
writs; these are also called bound bailiffs because
they are usually bound in a bond to the sheriff for
the due exeecution of their office.
Bailiffs Of Court Baron, to summon the court, etc.
Bailffs Of Husbandry, appointed by private persons
to collect their rents and manage their estates.
Water Bailiffs, officers in port towns for searching
ships, gathering tolls, etc.
