Legal Definitions - conclusion to the country

The phrase "conclusion to the country" is an archaic legal term that referred to the specific closing section of a formal legal document, known as a pleading. In this section, a party involved in a lawsuit would formally request that a jury decide the factual disputes in the case. Essentially, it was a declaration that the party wished for the "country" (meaning the community, represented by a jury) to hear the evidence and render a verdict on the contested facts.

• Example 1: A Historical Property Dispute

  In a land ownership dispute from the late 17th century, a plaintiff claiming title to a parcel of land would file a legal document detailing their arguments and evidence. After presenting their case, the document would conclude with a "conclusion to the country," signaling their formal demand for a jury of local citizens to examine the evidence and decide who rightfully owned the property.

  This example illustrates the term as the specific request within a legal pleading for a jury to resolve a factual disagreement, such as who holds legitimate title to land.

• Example 2: An Early Contract Breach Case

  Consider a scenario in the early 1800s where a merchant sued a supplier for failing to deliver goods as agreed. The supplier, disputing the terms of the alleged contract and the extent of any breach, would file a formal response to the lawsuit. This response, after outlining the supplier's defense, would typically end with a "conclusion to the country," thereby indicating their desire for a jury to hear both sides and determine the facts surrounding the contract and its alleged breach.

  Here, the phrase serves as the formal mechanism for a party to insist on a jury's involvement in resolving the factual questions related to a contractual agreement.

• Example 3: Modern Practice vs. Archaic Terminology

  While the fundamental right to a jury trial remains a cornerstone of many legal systems today, the specific phrase "conclusion to the country" is no longer in use. A modern lawyer seeking a jury trial would simply state in their pleading, "Plaintiff demands a trial by jury," or "Defendant requests a jury trial on all issues triable by jury." The archaic phrase has been replaced by more direct and less metaphorical language to achieve the same legal outcome.

  This example clarifies that while the underlying concept of requesting a jury persists, the particular phrasing "conclusion to the country" has become obsolete, highlighting its "archaic" nature.