Assize courts

Assize courts were historical periodic courts in England and some other common law countries, established to hear serious criminal cases and civil disputes. They operated outside regular local courts, bringing justice closer to the people in different regions. Assizes were held several times a year, with judges traveling to different towns to ensure consistent legal proceedings. This system helped standardize justice across regions before the development of a permanent, centralized court system. Today, the concept is largely replaced by modern regional courts, but the term “assize” still appears in historical contexts or in some legal traditions.