nisi prius
Also called nisi prius court . a trial court for the hearing of civil cases before a judge and jury.
British Law.
a writ commanding a sheriff of a county to summon a jury and bring it to the court in Westminster on a certain day, unless the judges of assizes previously came to that county.
the clause with the words “nisi prius” introducing this writ.
the system of judicial circuits to which judges are assigned for local trials of civil and criminal cases.
Origin of nisi prius
1Other words from nisi prius
- nisi-prius, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use nisi prius in a sentence
The judges of assize, by virtue of their commission of nisi prius, try the causes thus appointed.
In August, 1837, the case was brought down to trial at nisi prius, and a verdict entered for plaintiff at one-shilling damages.
The Last Laird of MacNab | VariousNo man could make such an income, except one who was at once an excellent nisi prius pleader, as well as a good Crown lawyer.
Bits of Blarney | R. Shelton MackenzieThat was made at nisi prius in answer to a motion for a nonsuit in an action brought for an infringement of a patent right.
Monopolies and the People | D. C. CloudHe was great both at nisi prius and before an appellate tribunal.
The Life Of Abraham Lincoln | Ward H. Lamon
British Dictionary definitions for nisi prius
/ (ˈpraɪəs) /
English legal history
a direction that a case be brought up to Westminster for trial before a single judge and a jury
the writ giving this direction
trial before the justices taking the assizes
(in the US) a court where civil actions are tried by a single judge sitting with a jury, as distinguished from an appellate court
Origin of nisi prius
1Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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