Legal Definitions - hanaper

Definition: A hanaper is a basket or hamper that was used by the Chancery to store writs and returns. It was also the treasury of the Chancery, which was funded from the fees charged for writs. The term comes from the Law Latin word "hanaperium," which means "hamper."

• The clerk of the Chancery carefully placed the writs in the hanaper for safekeeping.
• The fees charged for writs were collected and stored in the hanaper, which served as the treasury of the Chancery.

These examples illustrate how the hanaper was used in the Chancery. It was an important tool for storing and organizing writs, which were legal documents used to initiate a legal action. The hanaper also served as the treasury of the Chancery, which was responsible for administering justice in England.