Legal Definitions - court of nisi prius

A court of nisi prius is a civil trial court where issues are tried before a jury. The term comes from Latin and means "unless before then".

In the United States, the term is obsolete except in New York and Oklahoma. In these states, a court of nisi prius is a trial court where a jury decides the outcome of a civil case.

For example, if someone sues another person for breach of contract, the case may be heard in a court of nisi prius. The jury will hear evidence and decide whether the defendant breached the contract and if so, what damages should be awarded to the plaintiff.

Another example could be a personal injury case. If someone is injured in a car accident and sues the other driver for damages, the case may be heard in a court of nisi prius. The jury will hear evidence about the accident and the injuries sustained by the plaintiff, and decide whether the defendant is liable for damages.

These examples illustrate how a court of nisi prius functions as a trial court where a jury decides the outcome of a civil case.