FRIENDLY SOCIETIES

In English law. A ociations supported by subscrip- H tion, for the relief and maintenance of the members, or their wives, children, relatives, and nominees, in sickne , infancy, advanced age, widowhood, etc. The statutes regulating these societies were consolidated and amended by St. 38 & 39 Viet. c. 60. Whar- I ton. FRIENDLY SUIT, A suit brought by a creditor in chancery against an executor or administrator, being really a suit by the ex- J ecutor or administrator, in the name of a creditor, against himself, in order to compel the creditors to take an equal distribution of the a ets. 2 Williams, Ex'rs, 1915. Also any suit instituted by agreement between the parties to obtain the opinion of the K ·court upon some doubtful question in which they are interested. [s. 531]