Legal Definitions - duodecemvirale judicium

Duodecemvirale judicium is a Latin term that refers to a legal proceeding or trial decided by a group of twelve individuals. In contemporary legal systems, this concept is most commonly understood as a trial by jury.

Here are some examples illustrating the application of this term:

• Criminal Trial: Imagine a situation where an individual is accused of a serious crime, such as armed robbery. In many jurisdictions, the defendant has the right to a trial by jury. A panel of twelve citizens is selected to serve as jurors. These twelve individuals will carefully listen to all the evidence presented by the prosecution and the defense, deliberate amongst themselves, and ultimately decide whether the accused is guilty or not guilty. This entire process, where the verdict is determined by twelve people, is a direct embodiment of a duodecemvirale judicium.

• Civil Dispute: Consider a complex civil lawsuit where a small business is suing a larger corporation for breach of contract, seeking substantial financial damages. If the case goes to a jury trial, a group of twelve jurors would be empaneled. These twelve individuals would hear testimony from witnesses, review contractual documents, and consider legal arguments from both sides. Their collective decision would determine whether the corporation is liable for the alleged breach and, if so, the amount of compensation the small business should receive. This decision-making process by twelve individuals exemplifies a duodecemvirale judicium in a civil context.