Gratuitous Deed, in the law of Scotland, means a deed granted without any value received. Such deeds, if made after the contracting of debt, and in favour of a near relation or confidential friend, are presumed to be fraudulent and so null. In England gratuitous deeds are usually styled Gifts (q.v.).
Gratuitous Deed
Chambers's Encyclopaedia, Volume 5: Friday to Humanitarians, p. 365
Source scan(s): p. 0376