[See PLEADER1.]

1

  1.  Law. A member of an Inn of Court who devotes himself mainly to the drawing of pleadings, and to attending at Judges’ chambers (Wharton).

2

1804.  Act 44 Geo. III., c. 98. Schedule A, Certificate to be taken out by every Special Pleader.

3

1870.  Jury Act, Schedule, Persons exempt from serving on juries…. Serjeants, barristers-at-law, certificated conveyancers, and special pleaders if actually practising.

4

1891.  Stamp Act, § 48 (a), The certificates of … conveyancers, special pleaders and draftsmen in Equity in England.

5

  fig.  1901.  H. Sutcliffe, Willowdene Will, i. 21. They showed clean hoofs to the highwayman’s undischarged special pleaders [= pistols].

6

  2.  One who uses special pleading; a disingenuous or sophistical disputant.

7

1809.  Malkin, Gil Blas, IV. iii. ¶ 4. All the arts of a thoroughbred special pleader.

8