in chancery

in chancery

1. Literally, in a court of chancery, which is the Lord Chancellor's court (in the UK) or a court of equity (in the US). I'm in chancery today, waiting for the decision in our case to be announced.
2. Faced with a hopeless or challenging situation. I'm in chancery here, trying to fix my car on the side of the road with no clue what to do!
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • subpoena
  • subpoena (someone or something) to (do something)
  • subpoena to do
  • pendente lite
  • stand up in court
  • per curiam
  • appear in court
  • take the bench
  • have the ball in (one's) court
  • have the ball in court
References in classic literature
There is another well-known suit in Chancery, not yet decided, which was commenced before the close of the last century and in which more than double the amount of seventy thousand pounds has been swallowed up in costs.
The simplicity and expedition which form the distinguishing characters of this mode of trial require that the matter to be decided should be reduced to some single and obvious point; while the litigations usual in chancery frequently comprehend a long train of minute and independent particulars.
She had made a success of her business, and now had an office in Chancery Lane; she did little typing herself, but spent her time correcting the work of the four girls she employed.
'Mr Boffin, I happened to be in Chancery Lane this morning, when I saw you going along before me.
In this case the office in Chancery Lane was the very first place which he and Sir Percival would cause to be watched, and if the same persons were chosen for the purpose who had been employed to follow me, before my departure from England, the fact of my return would in all probability be ascertained on that very day.
They'll be safe with me, as safe as in Chancery! I'll take them where they must go, scold them a bit, and pet them a bit," said Marya Dmitrievna, touching her goddaughter and favorite, Natasha, on the cheek with her large hand.
Today Jessica Flynn has searched for fallen servicemen who lived in Chancery Lane and Eton Place in Canton, Cardiff.
Sloan brings a strong background in Chancery Court litigation to the firm, particularly entity governance and valuation disputes, according to Margules.
It is valuable to find two bills in Chancery that address an almost identical issue but are presented by two dilferent plaintiffs in independent lawsuits.
The 31-year-old was taken into custody yesterday after being found in Chancery Lane area of Riverside, Cardiff.
The man died after what police describe as an "incident" in Chancery Lane, in the Chapel End area of the town, shortly after 2.30am on Sunday.
The Judicial Appointments Commission criticised the selection of Wyn Williams QCto run the chancery division in Wales because he lacked specialist experience in chancery work, which covers land disputes, trust law and commercial matters.
The case could then be heard in Chancery. Challenged by Sir Edward Coke in the Earl of Oxford case, Chancellor Ellesmere defended his practice, asserting that he could issue an injunction "'not for any error or defect in judgment but for the hard conscience of the party.'" James I approved, stating that the Chancellor "'shall not hereafter desist to give unto our subjects ...
As things stand, mediation in Chancery requires the filing of a formal lawsuit, instituted by a complaint that, in large measure, must be made publicly accessible.
In Spy in Chancery Corbett again faces de Crayon, both in England and France.