Extent

Extent. To extend is, in English law, to make a valuation of property by the oath of a jury. A writ of extent directs the sheriff to 'extend' and seize the property of a debtor. Such writs are now issued only for the recovery of debts of record due to the crown. In Scotland 'extent' (often shortened to 'stent') was used to denote the general valuation of lands for taxation, &c. For the old and new extent, see VALUATION OF LANDS. Writs of extent were formerly issued for the recovery of crown debts; and the English form of process was introduced, in revenue cases, by the Act of Union. In America extent is a process whereby the lands of a debtor are delivered to his creditor until the debt is paid out of the profits.