Simple English definitions for legal terms
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A Great Inquest is an investigation conducted by a coroner or medical examiner, sometimes with the help of a jury, to determine the cause of death of a person who died under suspicious circumstances or in prison. It can also refer to an inquiry into a specific matter by a specially empaneled jury, or the finding of such a jury. In history, it was also used to refer to the survey of England's lands in 1085-1086, resulting in the Domesday Book.
Definition: Great Inquest refers to 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. However, the term is most commonly used to describe 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 in prison.
Examples:
The examples illustrate the different contexts in which the term "Great Inquest" can be used. In the first example, it refers to a legal investigation into the cause of death of a person. In the second example, it refers to an investigation into allegations of corruption. In the third example, it refers to a historical survey of lands.