Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1968 (SND Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
QUADRIENNIUM, n. A period of four years, specif. in Sc. Law phr. quadriennium utile, the period of four years following on the attainment of his majority in which a person may by legal action seek to withdraw from any deed done by him to his prejudice during his minority (Sc. 1722 W. Forbes Institutes I. ii. 40, 1946 A. D. Gibb Legal Terms 71).Sc. 1754 Erskine Principles i. vii. § 19:
These four years, between the age of twenty-one and twenty-five, called by us, quadriennium utile, are indulged to the minor, that he may have a reasonable time to consider with himself, what deeds done in his minority have been truly prejudicial to him.Sc. 1838 W. Bell Dict. Law Scot. 649:
Where a major succeeds to a minor, he has only the quadriennium utile, to be reckoned from the period of the minor's death; and if a major succeeds to a major dying within the quadriennium, he can avail himself of no more of the quadriennium than remained unexpired.Sc. 1927 Gloag & Henderson Intro. Law Scot. 48:
A reduction on the ground of minority and lesion may be brought by the trustee in the minor's sequestration, or in the event of his death before the expiry of the quadriennium utile, by his representatives.
