Assizes

The term is derived by Middle English assise < Old French assise ("session, legal action" – past participle of asseoir, "to seat") < Vulgar Latin *assedēre < Latin assidēre ("to sit beside, aside, elsewhere") < ad + sedēre ("to sit").

[3] Before Magna Carta was passed (enacted) in 1215, writs of assize had to be tried at Westminster or await trial at the septennial circuit of justices in eyre.

The writ called the parties to Westminster (on a longstop date) unless the king's justices had assembled a court in the county to deal with the case beforehand.

Historically, all justices who visited Cornwall were also permanent members of the Prince's Council, which oversees the Duchy and advises the Duke.

In the 13th century Richard, 1st Earl of Cornwall, feted as 'King of the Romans', moved the assizes to the new administrative palace complex in Lostwithiel but they later returned to Launceston.

From 1832 onwards, Wales and the palatine county of Chester, served by the Court of Great Sessions, were merged into the circuit system.

[13][14][15][16][17] Circuits continue today with similar functions as professional associations for barristers and administrative divisions for judges.