RULE, TERM, English practice. A term rule is in the nature of a day rule, by which a prisoner is enabled by the terms of one rule, instead of a daily rule, to quit the prison or its rules for the purpose of transacting¹ his business. lt is obtained in the same manner as a day rule. See Rules.

TO RULE. This has several meanings: 1. To determine or decide; as, the court rule the point in favor of the plaintiff. 2. To order by rule; as rule to plead.

RULES, English law. The rules of the King's Bench and Fleet are certain limits without the actual walls of the prisons, where the prisoner, on proper security previously² given to the marshal of the king's bench, or warden³ of the fleet, may reside; those limits are considered, for all legal and practical purposes, as merely a further extension of the prison walls.

2. The rules or permission to reside without the prison, may be obtained by any person not committed criminally; 2 Str. R. 845; nor for contempt Id. 817; by satisfying the marshal or warden of the security with which he may grant such permission.

RULES OF PRACTICE. Certain orders made by the courts for the purpose of regulating the practice of members of the bar and others.

2. Every court of record has an inherent power to make rules for the transaction of its business; which rules they may from time to time change, alter, rescind⁴ or repeal⁵. While they are in force they must be applied⁶ to all cases which fall within them; they can use no discretion⁷, unless such discretion is authorized⁸ by the rules themselves. Rules of court cannot, of course, contra-vene the constitution or the law of the land. 3 Pick. R. 512; 2 Har. & John. 79; 1 Pet. S. C. R. 604; 3 Binn. 227, 417; 3 S. & R. 253; 8 S. & R. 336; 2 Misso. R. 98; 11 S. & R. 131; 5 Pick. R. 187.

RUMOR⁹. A general public report of certain things, without any certainty as to their truth.

2. In general, rumor cannot be received in evidence, but when the question is whether such rumor existed, and not its truth or falsehood, then evidence of it may be given.