Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1974 (SND Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
VICENNIAL, adj. Extending over a period of twenty years, esp. in Sc. Law phr. vicennial prescription, a period of prescription (see Prescribe, Derivs.) applied to Retours, which were unchallengeable after twenty years, and to holograph bonds.Sc. 1701 Morison Decisions 10988:
The Lords found, though the 13th Act of Parliament 1617 does not expressly except minority from that vicennial prescription of retours, yet it was included in the act, and behoved to be deducted from the 20 years of prescription.Sc. 1774 Scots Mag. (June) 364:
A sentence given, sustaining the defence of a vicennial prescription of crimes.Sc. 1838 W. Bell Dict. Law Scot. 770:
By the act 1617, c.13, a vicennial prescription of retours was introduced. By this act, the lawful heir is allowed to bring an action for setting aside an erroneous retour at any time within 20 years after the date of the retour.Sc. 1927 Gloag and Henderson Intro. Law Scot. 139:
The vicennial prescription, established by the Act, 1669, c.9, applied to holograph missive letters and holograph bonds and subscriptions in compt books without witnesses.Sc. 1958 Intro. Sc. Legal Hist. (Stair Soc.) 444:
A majority held that the vicennial prescription of Roman Law was not and never had been part of Scots law [in regard to crimes].
