1. Definition and historical context
Trial by jury and assizes (French jury, cour d'assises; German Schwurgerichte, Geschwor(e)nengerichte, Assisen) - are courts of law composed of professional judges and jurors (Lay judge); in contrast to German Schöffengerichte, a distinction is made between the judges’ and jurors’ bench. The concept of trial by jury recalls the oath sworn by medieval lay judges. In the German political terminology of the Vorm…