Simple English definitions for legal terms
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A praetor was a person in ancient Rome who was responsible for identifying and explaining the legal issues in a case. They would then order a judge to hear evidence and make a decision based on a set formula. There was also a special type of praetor who dealt with cases involving trusts.
Definition: In Roman law, a praetor is a magistrate who is responsible for identifying and framing the legal issues in a case. They also order a lay judge (judex) to hear evidence and decide the case in accordance with the formula. There is also a special praetor called praetor fideicommissarius who has jurisdiction over cases involving trusts.
For example, if there is a legal dispute between two parties, the praetor would be responsible for identifying the legal issues involved in the case. They would then order a lay judge to hear evidence and decide the case based on the formula.
In another example, if there is a case involving a trust, the praetor fideicommissarius would have jurisdiction over the case. They would be responsible for ensuring that the trust is managed properly and that the interests of the beneficiaries are protected.
These examples illustrate how the praetor was an important figure in the Roman legal system. They were responsible for ensuring that legal disputes were resolved fairly and that the law was upheld.