consultation
    n 1: a conference (usually with someone important); "he had a
         consultation with the judge"; "he requested an audience
         with the king" [syn: consultation, audience,
         interview]
    2: a conference between two or more people to consider a
       particular question; "frequent consultations with his
       lawyer"; "a consultation of several medical specialists"
    3: the act of referring or consulting; "reference to an
       encyclopedia produced the answer" [syn: reference,
       consultation]

Consultation \Con`sul*ta"tion\, n. [L. consultatio: cf. F.
   consultation.]
   1. The act of consulting or conferring; deliberation of two
      or more persons on some matter, with a view to a decision.
      [1913 Webster]

            Thus they doubtful consultations dark
            Ended.                                --Milton.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. A council or conference, as of physicians, held to
      consider a special case, or of lawyers restained in a
      cause.
      [1913 Webster]

   Writ of consultation (Law), a writ by which a cause,
      improperly removed by prohibition from one court to
      another, is returned to the court from which it came; --
      so called because the judges, on consultation, find the
      prohibition ill-founded.
      [1913 Webster]

CONSULTATION, Eng. law. The name of a writ whereby a cause, being formerly 
removed by prohibition out of an inferior court into some of the king's 
courts in Westminster, is returned thither again for if the judges of the 
superior court, comparing the proceedings with the suggestion of the party, 
find the suggestion false or not proved, and that therefore the cause was 
wrongfully called from the inferior court, then, upon consultation and 
deliberation, they decree it to be returned, where upon this writ issues. T. 
de la Ley. 

CONSULTATION, practice. A conference between the counsel or attorneys 
engaged on the same side of a cause, for the purpose of examining their 
case, arranging their proofs, and removing any difficulties there may be in 
their way. 
     2. This should be had sufficiently early to enable the counsel to 
obtain an amendment of the pleadings, or further evidence. At these 
consultations the exact course to be taken by the plaintiff in exhibiting 
his proofs should be adopted, in consultation, by the plaintiff's counsel. 
In a consultation on a defendant's case, it is important to ascertain the 
statement of the defence, and the evidence which may be depended upon to 
support it; to arrange the exact course of defence, and to determine on the 
cross-examination of the plaintiff's witnesses; and, above all, whether or 
not evidence shall be given on the part of the defendant, or withheld, so as 
to avoid a reply on the part of the plaintiff. The wishes of the client 
should, in all cases, be consulted. 3 Chit. Pr. 864. 

CONSULTATION, French law. The opinion of counsel, on a point of law 
submitted to them. Dict. de Jur. h.t.