Dictionaries of the Scots Language
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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1976 (SND Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

ASLEEP, adv. Sc. Law usage of a civil action where no further step in procedure has been taken within a year and day after it was first lodged. It can then only be revived by the process of wakening (see Wauken, v., 2.).Sc. 1709 Morison Decision 12170:
There is a decreet in the cause, and that can never fall asleep. Sc. 1796 Session Papers, Balfour v. Kirkwall T.C. (9 March) 30:
No further procedure having been had in this action within year and day, it thereby fell asleep. Sc. 1937 Thomson & Middleton Ct. of Session Procedure 425:
A cause which has fallen asleep requires to be wakened before any motion or step in it can be taken.