Historical reference: Do not rely on this information. It is very old. About this collection
Affiliation, or Filiation, the term applied to a magistrate order in England on the putative father of a bastard for maintenance. The term is also applied to an action in the Sheriff's Court of Scotland by the mother of a natural child for its support from the reputed father. The rates of maintenance vary in different districts. The father's liability may be enforced by imprisonment.