nisi prius

[ nahy-sahy prahy-uhs, nee-see pree-uhs ]

noun

, Law.

1. Also called nisi prius court. a trial court for the hearing of civil cases before a judge and jury.
2. British Law.
   1. 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.
   2. the clause with the words “nisi prius” introducing this writ.
   3. the system of judicial circuits to which judges are assigned for local trials of civil and criminal cases.

nisi prius

/ ˈpraɪəs /

noun

1. English legal history
   1. a direction that a case be brought up to Westminster for trial before a single judge and a jury
   2. the writ giving this direction
   3. trial before the justices taking the assizes
2. (in the US) a court where civil actions are tried by a single judge sitting with a jury, as distinguished from an appellate court

Other Words From

• nisi-prius adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of nisi prius¹

1300–50; Middle English < Latin: literally, unless previously, unless before

Word History and Origins

Origin of nisi prius¹

C15: from Latin: unless previously

Example Sentences

Bishop Butler’s argument on the doctrine of necessity, is that which one might expect to find from a hired nisi prius advocate, but which is read with regret coming from the pen of a gentleman who ought to be striving to convince his erring brethren by the words of truth alone.

From Project Gutenberg

That was made at nisi prius in answer to a motion for a nonsuit in an action brought for an infringement of a patent right.

From Project Gutenberg

His mind was too broad, his ambition too high, to be a mere lawyer, tied down with red tape to nisi prius precedents and the dicta of cases.

From Project Gutenberg

As a lawyer, he is at home in the grave and studied discussions at banc, and in the showy and extemporaneous contests at nisi prius.

From Project Gutenberg

Hall put down upstartism like a judge at nisi prius rebuking a shallow barrister for contempt of court.

From Project Gutenberg