A session or inquiry made before a court or jury.
A guide to assize
• The verdict reached or pronouncement given by a panel of jurors.
• An assembly of knights and other substantial men, with a bailiff or justice, in a certain place and at a certain time, for public business.
• A statute or ordinance, especially one regulating weights and measures.
• Anything fixed or reduced to a certainty in point of time, number, quantity, quality, weight, measure, etc.
• A measure, dimension, or size.
(Verb) To assess; to set or fix the quantity or price.
Why assize is relevant in U.S. law
assize appears in U.S. legal practice across multiple practice areas. Knowing what it means — and when it applies — can determine the outcome of motions, filings, and negotiations. For non-lawyers, the value of looking up a precise definition is that legal terms often carry meanings that differ from everyday usage; relying on the common meaning can lead to costly missteps.
When and how assize applies
In practice, assize is invoked when parties, judges, or attorneys need to identify the legal status of an issue, the rights of those involved, or the procedural step required next. The definition shown above is sourced from Wiktionary , which is widely cited in U.S. legal practice. Because U.S. law is jurisdictionally layered — federal, state, and sometimes local — the precise application of the term can vary by court, so check the controlling authority for your specific case.