PER CAPITA, by the head or polls. This term is applied1 when an estate is to be divided share and share alike. For example, if a legacy2 be given to the issue of A B, and A B at the time of his death, shall have two children and two grandchildren, his estate shall be divided into four parts, and the children and grandchildren shall each have one of them. 3 Ves. 257; 13 Ves. 344. Vide 1 Rop. on Leg. 126, 130.
PER AND CUI. When a writ3 of entry is brought against a second alienee4 or descendant from the disseisor, it is said to be in the per and cui, because the form of the writ is that the tenant5 had not entry but by and under a prior alienee, to whom the intruder himself demised6 it. 2 Bl. Com. 181. See Entry, writ of.
PER FRAUDEM. A replication to a plea where something has been pleaded which would be a discharge, if it had been honestly pleaded, that such a thing has been obtained by fraud for example, where on debt on a statute7, the defendant8 pleads a prior action depending, if such action has been commenced by fraud the plaintiff may reply per fraudem: 2 Chit. Pl. *675.
PER INFORTUNIUM, criminal law. Homicide per infortunium, or by misadventure, is said to take place when a man in doing a lawful9 act, without any intent to hurt, unfortunately kills another. Hawk10. bk. 1, c. 11; Foster, 258, 259; 3 Inst. 56.
PER MINAS. By threats. When a man is compelled to enter into a contract by threats or menaces, either for. fear of loss of life, or mayhem, he may avoid it afterwards. 1 Bl. Com. 131; Bac. Ab. Duress11; Id. Murder A. See Duress.
PER MY ET PER TOUT12. By every part or parcel and by the whole. A joint13 tenant of lands is said to be seised per my et per tout. Litt. s. 288. See 7 Mann. & Gr. 172, note c.
PER QUOD, pleading. By which; whereby.
2. When the plaintiff sues for an injury to his relative rights, as for beating his wife, his child,, or his servant, it is usual to lay the injury with a per quod. In such case, after complaining of the injury, say to the wife, the declaration proceeds, "insomuch that the said E F, (the wife,) by means of the premises14, then and there became and was sick, sore, lame15, and disordered, and so remained and continued for a long space of time, to wit, hitherto, whereby he, the said A B, (the plaintiff,) lost", &c. 2 Chit. Pl. 422; 3 Bl. Com. 140. It seems that the per quod is not traversable. 1 Saund. 298; 1 Ld. Raym. 410; 2 Keb. 607; 1 Saund. 23, note 5.