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Assize Court Records: Difference between revisions
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In the early years, most of the cases were heard in the courts in London. As their caseloads increased, a common practice was to fix a date for trial at one of the central courts, then add a note ''nisi prius'', meaning “unless before”. This meant the trial would be held in the central court unless the local circuit assize court was held before the central court date. Usually, a date was fixed in central court after they knew the next local circuit assize court would be held in order to save the central courts from the added burden. | In the early years, most of the cases were heard in the courts in London. As their caseloads increased, a common practice was to fix a date for trial at one of the central courts, then add a note ''nisi prius'', meaning “unless before”. This meant the trial would be held in the central court unless the local circuit assize court was held before the central court date. Usually, a date was fixed in central court after they knew the next local circuit assize court would be held in order to save the central courts from the added burden. | ||
The assize was held twice a year in the “rural” circuits, during Lent and Summer. By the mid-nineteenth century, as the criminal caseload grew, a Winter court was sometimes added. The Home “circuit” held court during the Winter. Judges would be involved in their court cases every winter, then many would travel to the other circuits during Lent and Summer. A few cases each year were referred from the outlying circuit to the Home courts. Most of the records are in Latin until 1733, and they are often abbreviated. | The assize was held twice a year in the “rural” circuits, during Lent and Summer. By the mid-nineteenth century, as the criminal caseload grew, a Winter court was sometimes added. The Home “circuit” held court during the Winter. Judges would be involved in their court cases every winter, then many would travel to the other circuits during Lent and Summer. These courts would take place in towns with a jail known as "gaol" within the county. The circuit court could last up to 5 weeks depending on the number of cases being heard. | ||
A few cases each year were referred from the outlying circuit to the Home courts. Most of the records are in Latin until 1733, and they are often abbreviated. | |||
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