Legal Definitions - judicium Dei

Definition: Judicium Dei refers to God's supposed judgment on the merits of a case, which is made evident by the outcome of an observable event. This concept was prevalent during Norman times and was often used in trials by combat and ordeal.

• In a trial by combat, the outcome of the fight was believed to be a manifestation of God's judgment on the accused.
• Similarly, in an ordeal, the accused would undergo a physical test, such as walking on hot coals, and the outcome would determine their guilt or innocence.

These examples illustrate how people in the past believed that God would intervene in legal proceedings and reveal the truth through physical events. However, these methods of determining guilt or innocence were eventually replaced by more rational and fair legal systems.

• Judicium Ecclesiasticum: Refers to the jurisdiction of the church in legal matters.
• Judicium Parium: Refers to the right of a defendant to be judged by a jury of their peers.
• Judicium Publica: Refers to public judgment or opinion.
• Judicum Rejectio: Refers to a litigant's right to reject a judge or a certain number of jurors without giving a reason.