(returna or retorna), in law, is used in divers senses. 1. Return of writs by sheriffs and bailiffs is a certificate made by them to the court, of what they have done in relation to the execution of the writ directed to them. This is wrote on the back of the writ by the officer, who thus sends the writ back to the court from whence it issued, in order that it may be filed. 2. Return of a commission, is a certificate or answer sent to the court from whence the commission issues, concerning what has been done by the commissioners. 3. Returns, or days in bank, are certain days in each term, appointed for the return of writs, &c. Thus Hillary term has four returns, viz. in the king's bench, on the day next after the octave, or eighth day after Hillary day; on the day next after the fifteenth day from St Hillary; on the day after purification; and on the next after the octave of the purification. In the common pleas, in eight days of St Hillary; from the day of St Hillary, in fifteen days; on the day after the purification; in eight days of the purification. Easter term has five returns, viz. in the king's-bench, on the day next after the fifteenth day from Easter; on the day next after the three weeks from Easter; on the day next after one month from Easter; on the day next after five weeks from Easter; and on the day next after the day following ascension-day. In the common pleas, in fifteen days from the feast of Easter; in three weeks from the feast of Easter; in one month from Easter day; in five weeks from Easter day; on the day after the ascension-day. Trinity term has four returns, viz. on the day following the second day after Trinity; on the day following the eighth day after Trinity; on the day next after the fifteenth day from Trinity; on the day next after three weeks from Trinity. In the common pleas, on the day after Trinity; in eight days of Trinity; in fifteen days from Trinity; in three weeks from Trinity. Michaelmas term has six returns, viz. on the day next after three weeks from St Michael; on the day next after one month of St Michael; on the day following the second day after All-fouls; on the day next after the second day after St Martin; on the day following the octave of St Martin; on the day next after fifteen days of St Martin. In the common pleas, in three weeks from St Michael; in one month from St Michael; on the day after All-fouls; on the day after St Martin; on the octave of St Martin; in fifteen days from St Martin. It is to be observed, that, as in the king's-bench, all returns are to be made on some particular day of the week in each term, care must be taken not to make the writs out of that court returnable on a non-judicial day; such as Sunday, and All-saints, in Michaelmas term, the purification in Hillary, the ascension in Easter, and Midsummer-day, except it should fall on the first day of Trinity term.

Returns, in a military sense, are of various sorts, but all tending to explain the state of the army, regiment, or company; namely, how many capable of doing duty, on duty, sick in quarters, barracks, infirmary, or hospital; prisoners, absent with or without leave; total effective; wanting to complete the establishment, &c.