Legal Definitions - decem tales

Definition: Decem tales (des-em tay-leez), n. [Law Latin “ten such people”] is a historical writ that directs a sheriff to summon ten people for a jury panel when there are not enough people present.

Example: In medieval England, if there were not enough people present for a jury panel, the court would issue a decem tales writ to the sheriff. The sheriff would then summon ten people to serve on the jury.

Explanation: The example illustrates how a decem tales writ was used in medieval England to ensure that there were enough people present to serve on a jury. The writ was issued when there were not enough people present, and the sheriff would then summon ten people to serve on the jury panel.