See DUAL RATE TABLE.

Doubting; eg in a note on a law case the reference may be, “Held, Smith LJ and Jones J (Brown LJ dubitante)…”.

In land surveying, an instrument used to measure comparative levels, comprising a telescope, capable of rotating through 360 degrees in a horizontal plane about a vertical axis.

An auction at which the proceedings commence with the auctioneer quoting a higher price than he might reasonable expect to receive. If he is unable to secure an acceptance at that figure he will reduce the figure by stages until someone accepts. The acceptor is then legally obliged to proceed with the purchase.

In general parlance, self-contained living accommodation. The term includes flats and maisonettes, or possibly similar accommodation which is not completely self-contained, ie having some shared facilities. More specifically, statutory definitions include:

a. Rent Act 1977, sections 19 (8), 85 (1) and 107: “a house or part of a house”;

b. Housing Act 1985, section 343: "premises used or suitable for use as a separate dwelling";

c. Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 section 38: “a building or part of a building occupied or intended to be occupied as a separate dwelling, together with any yard, garden, outhouses and appurtenances belonging to it or usually enjoyed with it.”

A dwelling, being a structure of a permanent nature. For the purposes of Part III of the Housing Act 1985 (dealing with secure tenancies) it “may be a house or a part of a house,” while land let together with a dwelling is also treated as part of the dwelling-house, unless the land is agricultural land exceeding 2 acres.