DISTRINGAS, Juratores, a writ directed to the Sheriff, by which he commanded to distrain upon a jury to appear and to return issues on their lands, &c., for non-appearance. This writ of distringas judicatores issues for the sheriff to have their bodies in court at the return of the writ, or to distrain them by their lands and goods. This writ is now abolished by the 15th and 16th Vict., cap. 76, sec. 104, and the jurors are summoned for the commission day in virtue of a precept issued to the sheriff by the judges of assize.
Formerly also, in an action of detinue after judgment, the plaintiff was entitled to a distringas to compel the defendant to deliver the goods by repeated distresses of his chattels; but now, under the 17th and 18th Vict., cap. 125, sec. 78, the court is empowered to order the specific delivery of chattels. (n. m.—m.)