[1] The correctness of the verdict would be determined by a body known as the grand jury of attaint.
This panel, consisting of twenty-four members, was twice the size of a normal trial jury.
The party bringing the attaint could introduce only the same evidence that was originally given at trial while the jury whose verdict was questioned was allowed to present new matter.
If it were found that an erroneous verdict had been given, the wrong was redressed, and the original jury was punished.
[1] The punishment inflicted was quite severe; at the common law, the judgment was:[2] However, during the reign of Henry VIII, Parliament passed the Attaints Act 1531 (23 Hen.