Nisi prius

Nisi Prius
From LoveToKnow 1911
NISI PRIUS, in English law, a term used to denote generally all actions tried before judges of the king's bench division. For the history and meaning of this term see Assize.

Nisi prius is a historical term in English law. In the nineteenth century, ...

Nisi Prius
It is a phrase used for the original lower level or trial court (thus called "court of orginal jurisdiction") where the case was first heard by the judge and the jury, irrespective of where it is heard now.

nisi prius
(nee-see pree-us) adj. Latin for "unless first," in some jurisdictions it means the original trial court which heard a case as distinguished from a court of appeals, as in court nisi prius.

NISI PRIUS. These words, which signify 'unless before,' are the name of a court. The name originated as follows: Formerly, an action was triable only in the court where it was brought.

Such terms as nisi prius, habeas corpus, fieri facias, mandamus, and the like, are not capable of an English dress with any degree of seriousness.

See also: Nisi, Court, Judge, Law, Trial