Simple English definitions for legal terms
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A grand inquest is a type of investigation that is conducted by a coroner or medical examiner to determine the cause of death of a person who has died under suspicious circumstances or in prison. It can also refer to an inquiry into a certain matter by a specially empaneled jury. In history, it was also used to refer to the survey of the lands of England in 1085-1086, resulting in the Domesday Book.
Definition: A grand inquest is an inquiry into a certain matter by a jury empaneled for that purpose. It can also refer to an impeachment proceeding or a survey of lands resulting in the Domesday Book. In legal terms, it is an inquiry by a coroner or medical examiner, sometimes with the aid of a jury, into the manner of death of a person who has died under suspicious circumstances or who has died in prison.
The examples illustrate how a grand inquest can be used in different contexts, such as legal proceedings, historical surveys, and political investigations. In each case, a jury or other group is empaneled to conduct an inquiry into a specific matter and reach a finding or conclusion.