Definition

Noun 1. A periodic court session: Refers to a court, historically in England and Wales, that was held at intervals in each county. It dealt with serious civil and criminal cases. 2. The sessions or sittings of such a court: Can refer to the proceedings or the period of time during which this court was in session.

Usage

• The term is primarily used in a historical or legal-historical context to describe the judicial system in England and Wales before 1971.
• It is often capitalized when referring to the specific courts: .
• Example: "The judge traveled from London to preside over the Assizes in the county town."
• Example: "The case was serious enough to be heard at the next assizes."

Advanced Usage

• To go to/take the assizes: An archaic phrase meaning to have one's case tried at this court.
  • Example (historical): "The felon was sent to take the assizes for his crime."
• The term can be used metaphorically in very formal or literary contexts to imply a solemn judgment.
  • Example (literary): "In the court of public opinion, he faced a severe assizes."

Variants and Related Words

• Assize (noun, less common): Can refer to a statute or ordinance enacted by such a court, or a session of it. More commonly seen in the plural form .
• Assize Court (noun phrase): Another name for the court holding the assizes.

Different Meanings

The word assizes is highly specific and does not have common, distinct modern meanings outside its historical legal context. Its core meaning is the periodic county court.

Synonyms

• Sessions (as in )
• Circuit court (a court held by a judge moving between locations)
• Tribunal (in a very general sense)

Idioms

• The great assize: A theological or literary term referring to the Final Judgment.
  • Example: "The preacher spoke of the great assize where all souls would be judged."

Notes

• The Assizes were abolished in England and Wales by the Courts Act 1971 and replaced by the Crown Court system.
• The term originates from the Old French , meaning "session" or "sitting."

Noun

1. the county courts of England (replaced in 1971 by Crown courts)