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Simple English definitions for legal terms
clerk of assize
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A quick definition of clerk of assize:
A clerk of assize is a person who works in a court and is responsible for keeping records and doing administrative tasks. They help the court run smoothly and keep track of important information. In the past, they were also responsible for attending jury trials and entering verdicts. Nowadays, their duties have been taken over by the staff of the Central Office.
A more thorough explanation:
A clerk of assize is a historical term used to refer to an associate responsible for record-keeping and other clerical and administrative functions in an assize court. An assize court is a court that sits in a particular place at a particular time to hear cases.
For example, in English law, a clerk of assize was an officer of a common-law court responsible for maintaining the court's records, attending jury trials, and entering verdicts. The clerk of assize was an important figure in the court system, as they were responsible for ensuring that the court's proceedings were properly recorded and documented.
Today, the role of the clerk of assize has largely been replaced by modern technology and administrative staff. However, the term is still used in some legal contexts to refer to historical court procedures and practices.