law-merchant Comm.
[f. law n.1 + merchant a., in imitation of the med.L. lex mercatoria.]
A special system of rules for the regulation of trade and commerce, differing in some respects from the Common Law.
| 1622 Malynes (title) Consuetudo vel Lex Mercatoria, or the Ancient Law-Merchant. 1663 Marvell Corr. xl. Wks. 1872–5 II. 88 Those things may better be redressed by the law merchant, or lex mercatoria. a 1687 Petty Pol. Arith. i. (1691) 22 Liberty of Conscience, Registry of Conveyances,..and Law Merchant, rise all from the same Spring, tend to the same Sea. 1777 Sheridan Sch. Scand. ii. ii, Yes, madam, I would have law merchant for them too. 1856 H. Broom Comm. Common Law 11 Lord Campbell remarks that the general lien of bankers is part of the law merchant. |