Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - sequestration

 noun  Date: 15th century  1. the act of sequestering ; the state of being sequestered a jury in ~  2.  a. a legal writ authorizing a sheriff or commissioner to take into custody the property of a defendant who is in contempt until the orders of a court are complied with  b. a deposit whereby a neutral depositary agrees to hold property in litigation and to restore it to the party to whom it is adjudged to belong