oyer and terminer

American  

[tur-muh-ner] / ˈtɜr mə nər /

noun

Law.

1. (in some U.S. states) any of various higher criminal courts.

2. British.

   1. a commission or writ directing the holding of a court to try offenses.

   2. the court itself.

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oyer and terminer British  

/ ˈtɜːmɪnə /

noun

1. English law (formerly) a commission issued to judges to try cases on assize. It became obsolete with the abolition of assizes and the setting up of crown courts in 1972

2. the court in which such a hearing was held

3. (in the US) a court exercising higher criminal jurisdiction

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Etymology

Origin of oyer and terminer

1375–1425; late Middle English < Anglo-French: literally, to hear and determine

Example Sentences

Demurely dressed in grey, the little white-haired lady calmly faced the Lord Chief Justice Jeffreys and the four judges of oyer and terminer who sat with him, and confidently made her plea of "Not Guilty."

From The Historical Nights' Entertainment First Series by Sabatini, Rafael

The second charter, after confirming former liberties, enlarges the limits of the civic jurisdiction and ordains that the mayor, recorder, and two aldermen, shall be justices of oyer and terminer.

From The Corporation of London, Its Rights and Privileges by Allen, William Ferneley

Courts in which crimes are tried are sometimes called courts of oyer and terminer.

From The Government Class Book Designed for the Instruction of Youth in the Principles of Constitutional Government and the Rights and Duties of Citizens. by Young, Andrew W.

One of twelve men, called a petit jury, whose duty it is to try causes, civil or criminal, in the county court and sessions, or circuit and oyer and terminer.

From Civil Government for Common Schools by Northam, Henry C.

It was held, in accordance with the Virginian act, by a commission of oyer and terminer, appointed by the governor.

From Privateering and Piracy in the Colonial Period Illustrative Documents by Jameson, J. Franklin (John Franklin)