Since the Bankruptcy Act 1883 the writ of elegit has extended to lands and hereditaments only.

No writ of elegit or writ of fieri facias de terris shall be issued in this Province.

The writ of elegit was introduced by the Statute of Westminster II in 1285 as a creditor's remedy over real estate.

A writ of elegit orders the seizure of a portion of a debtor's lands and all his goods (except work animals) towards satisfying a creditor, until the debt is paid off.

Et sic idem Iohannes Baltre per sacramentum suum more solito iter suum arripuit versus portum de Douorre quem elegit, itinerando qualibet die duodecim leucas quousque ad dictum portum euenerit in alta regia nisi causa racionabili impediatur... .