from
Bouvier's Law Dictionary, Revised 6th Ed (1856)
LIS PENDENS. The pendancy of a suit; the time between which it is instituted
and finally decided.
2. It has been decided that the mere serving of a subpoena in chancery,
unless a bill be also filed, is not a sufficient lis pendens, but the bill
being filed, the lis pendens commences from the service of the subpoena,
although that may not be returnable till the following term 1 Vern. 318; and
after a decree, final in its nature, there remains no lis pendens. 1 Vern.
459.
3. It is a general rule, that lis pendens is a general notice of an
equity to all the world. 3 Atk. 343; 2 P. Wms. 282; Amb. 676; 1 Vern. 286.
Vide 2 Fonb. Eq. 152, note; 1 Supp. to Ves. jr. 284; 3 Rawle, R. 14; Pow.
Mortg. index, h.t.; 1 John. Ch. R. 566; 2 John. Ch. R. 158; 4 John. Ch.
Rep. 83; 2 Rand. Rep. 93; 1 M'Cord, Ch. R. 264; Harp. Eq. R. 224; 1 Bibb, R.
314; 5 Ham. Rep. 462; 4 Cowen, R. 667; 1 Wend. R. 583; 1 Desaus. R. 167,
170; 2 Edw. R. 115; 1 Hogan, R. 69; 6 Har. & John. 21; 2 Dana, R. 480; Jac.
R. 202; 1 Russ. & My. 617 Corn. Dig. Chancery, 4 C 3; 2 Bell's Com. 152, 5th
ed.; 1 Bail. Eq. R. 479; 7 Dana, R. 110; 7 J. J. Marsh. 529; 1 Clarke, R.
560, 584; 14 Ohio, 109, 323.
4. When a defendant is arrested pending a former suit or action, in
which he was held to bail, he will not, in general, be held to bail, if the
second suit be for the same cause of action. Grah. Pr. 98; Tro. & Hal. Pr.
44; 4 Yeates' R. 206. But under special circumstances, he may be held to
bail twice, and of these circumstances the court will judge. 2 Miles, Rep.
99, 100, 142. See 14 John. R. 347. When such a second action is commenced,
the first ought to be discontinued and the costs paid; but, it seems, it is
sufficient if they are paid before the replication of nul tiel record to a
plea of autre action pendant. in the second suit. Grah. Pr. 98; and see 1
John. Cas. 397; 7 Taunt. 151; 1 Marsh. R. 395; Merl. Rep. Litispendance; 5
Ohio R. 462; 6 Ohio R. 225; 1 Blackf. R. 53; Id. 315; Autre action pendent;
Bail; Litigiosity.