eans a solemn assurance of a matter of fact known to the person who states it, and attested as his statement by some person in authority. It is generally applied to a statement so certified by a justice of peace or other magistrate. Affidavits are sometimes necessary as certificates that certain formalities have been duly and legally performed. They are extensively used in the practice of bankruptcy, and in the administration of the revenue. Recently they were invariably taken on oath, but this practice has been much narrowed. Quakers, Moravians, and Separatists, are privileged in all cases to make a solemn declaration or affirmation. An act of 1835 (5th and 6th Will. IV., c. 62) authorised the lords of the treasury to substitute declarations for oaths in transactions connected with the different departments in the revenue and public offices. The same Act prohibited justices of peace from administering oaths in any matter in which they had not jurisdiction as judges, except when an oath was specially authorised by statute, as in the bankrupt law, and excepting criminal inquiries, parliamentary proceedings, and instances where oaths are required to give validity to documents abroad. But justices are permitted to take affidavits in any matter by declaration, and a person taking a false affidavit is liable to punishment.