Placita

In old English law. The public assemblies of all degrees of men where the sovereign presided, who usually consulted upon the great affairs of the kingdom. Also pleas, pleadings, or debates, and trials at law; sometimes penalties, fines, mulcts, or emendations; also the style of the court at the beginning of the record at nisi prius, but this is now omitted. Cowell.

In the civil law. The decrees or constitutions of the emperor; being the expressions of his will and pleasure. Calvin.

— Placita communia. Common pleas. AU civil actions between subject and subject. 3 BI. Comm. 38, 40.

— Placita coronæ. Pleas of the crown. All trials for crimes and misdemeanors, Wherein the king is plaintiff, on behalf of the people. 3 Bl. Comm. 40.

— Placita juris. Pleas or rules of law; "particular and positive learnings of laws;" "Grounds and positive learnings received with the law and set down;" as distinguished from maxims or the formulated conclusions of legal reason. Bac. Max. pref., and reg. 12.