Grand Assize in United States

Grand Assize Definition

An extraordinary trial by jury, instituted by Henry II., by way of alternative offered to the choice of the tenant or defendant in a writ of right, instead of the barbarous custom of trial by battel. For this purpose, a writ de magna assiza eliganda was directed to the sheriff to return four knights, who were to choose twelve other knights to be joined with themselves; and these sixteen formed the grand assize, or great jury, to try the right between the parties. 3 Bl. Comm. 351.

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An extraordinary trial by jury, instituted by Henry II., by way of alternative offered to the choice of the tenant or defendant in a writ of right, instead of the barbarous custom of trial by battel. For this purpose, a writ de magna assiza eliganda was directed to the sheriff to return four knights, who were to choose twelve other knights to be joined with themselves; and these sixteen formed the grand assize, or great jury, to try the right between the parties. 3 Bl. Comm. 351.

This definition of Grand Assize is based on The Cyclopedic Law Dictionary. This entry needs to be proofread.