How Do You Spell AFFORCE THE ASSISE?

Pronunciation: [ɐfˈɔːs ðɪ ɐsˈa͡ɪz] (IPA)

The phrase "afforce the assise" is an old legal term that means to strengthen or fortify a law. It is spelled with the IPA phonetic transcription /əˈfɔːs ðə əˈsaɪz/, with emphasis on the second syllable of "afforce" and the first syllable of "assise." The word "afforce" is derived from Old French and was used in Middle English to mean "strengthen" or "reinforce." "Assise" comes from the Latin "assidere," meaning "to sit," and was used in medieval English law to refer to a group of judges who would sit and hear cases.

Meaning and Definition
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AFFORCE THE ASSISE Meaning and Definition

  1. Afforce the assise is a legal term commonly used in medieval England that refers to the action of increasing the number of jurors on a panel for a particular court case. The term itself is derived from Old French, with "afforce" meaning "to strengthen" or "to increase," and "assise" referring to a medieval court session or verdict.

    In the English legal system during the medieval period, the number of jurors on a panel was initially determined by the Crown or the presiding judge. However, there were instances where either party believed that an insufficient number of jurors had been appointed, leading them to request the process of afforcing the assise. This involved increasing the number of jurors through the addition of more impartial and qualified individuals.

    The purpose behind afforcing the assise was to ensure a fair and unbiased trial by having a broader representation of the community. It aimed to prevent potential jury manipulation or bias that could arise from a limited number of jurors. The additional jurors empowered the assise to have a more diverse pool of opinions and perspectives when deliberating on the facts and evidences presented in a case.

    Overall, afforce the assise was a mechanism to strengthen the integrity of the legal process by expanding the number of jurors, allowing for a more just and impartial decision to be reached in medieval English courts.