Legal Definitions - nisi prius record

A nisi prius record refers to the official documentation of a civil trial conducted before a single judge and jury, typically in the local jurisdiction where the dispute originated. This record comprehensively details the proceedings, including the initial pleadings, evidence presented, witness testimonies, jury instructions, and the final verdict or judgment. It serves as the authoritative account of what transpired during the trial and is crucial for any subsequent legal review or appeal.

• Example 1: Personal Injury Lawsuit

  Imagine a pedestrian who was injured by a negligent driver files a lawsuit seeking compensation. The case proceeds to a full trial in the local county court. The complete file documenting the jury selection process, the opening statements from both legal teams, the medical expert testimony regarding the pedestrian's injuries, the cross-examination of witnesses, the judge's instructions to the jury on negligence law, and the jury's final decision on liability and damages would collectively constitute the nisi prius record. This record would be vital if either party decided to appeal the verdict to a higher court.

• Example 2: Contract Dispute Between Businesses

  Consider a small manufacturing company that sues a supplier for breach of contract, alleging that the raw materials provided were substandard and caused significant production losses. The trial takes place in the judicial district where the manufacturing company is located. The official court documents containing the initial complaint, the supplier's response, transcripts of testimony from company executives and quality control specialists, exhibits like the contract and material inspection reports, and the judge's final ruling or the jury's verdict would all be part of the nisi prius record. This comprehensive record would be essential for enforcing the judgment or for any appellate review.

• Example 3: Property Boundary Dispute

  Suppose two neighbors are involved in a disagreement over the exact location of their shared property line, leading to a civil trial to resolve the boundary dispute and potentially award damages for encroachment. The trial is held in the county where the properties are situated. The entire collection of court documents, including the property surveys submitted as evidence, the testimonies of land surveyors and previous property owners, the judge's instructions to the jury regarding real estate law, and the jury's final determination of the boundary and any awarded damages, would be preserved as the nisi prius record. This record provides the definitive account of the trial's outcome and the basis for the court's decision.