Legal Definitions - writ of mesne

Definition: A writ of mesne is a legal term that refers to a writ against a middle lord to protect an undertenant from harassment by a higher lord for rent actually due from the middle lord.

For example, if a tenant rents a property from a middle lord, and the middle lord fails to pay rent to the higher lord, the higher lord may try to collect the rent from the tenant. In this case, the tenant can use a writ of mesne to protect themselves from harassment by the higher lord.

The writ of mesne is also known as de medio.