Circuit

A division of country visited by a judge for the dispensing of justice, as for the trial of causes; also, the periodical journey itself. The judges ot assize and of nisi prius are twice a year sent around the kingdom to try, by a jury ot the respective counties, the truth ot such matters of tact as are then under dispute in the courts at Westminster Hall. Formerly, the itinerant justices made their circuits once in seven years; but Magna Charta directed that they be sent into every county once a year. They usually went in the vacations, after Hilary and Trinity terms.! The custom is retained in a few of the States. Circuit court. See Coukt, Circuit.