To answer the second part of the query: the counterpart was just a copy of
the lease kept by the lessor. The original lease, signed by the lessor, was
given to the lessee; the counterpart, signed by the lessee, was retained by the
lessor. Originally, to prevent forgery, both parts of a lease or deed were
written on one piece of parchment, and cut into two when it was signed. Hence the
words 'this indenture . . .' which were the opening words of such documents
until recent times.
C J Williams
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