Lat. Notwithstanding . Words anciently used in public and private instruments, intended to preclude, in advance, any interpretation contrary to certain declared objects or purposes. Bur- rill. A clause frequent in old English statutes and letters patent , (so termed from its initial words,) importing a license from the crown to do a thing which otherwise a person would be restrained by act of parliament from doing. Crabb, Com. Law, 570; Plowd. 501; Cowell. A power in the crown to dispense with the laws in any particular case. This was abolished by the bill of rights at the Revolution. 1 Bl. Comm. 342.
Black’s Law Online Dictionary
