Legal Definitions - pares curiae

Definition: Pares curiae is a Latin term that means "peers of the court." In legal history, it referred to a group of people who were selected to sit in judgment of a fellow tenant of a lord.

For example, in medieval England, a lord's tenants would be chosen to serve as pares curiae in disputes between tenants. These peers would hear the case and make a decision based on their knowledge of the local customs and laws.

The term pares curiae is also sometimes used to refer to expert witnesses or advisors who are appointed by a court to provide impartial advice on a legal matter. These individuals are considered to be "peers" of the court because of their expertise and knowledge in a particular field.