Circuit

[Lat. circuitus, from clrcueo, or circum eo, to go around.] A civil division of a country, state or kingdom, for the more convenient administration of justice; courts being held in the different circuits at stated periods, by the judges of the superior courts, who go around for that purpose. In England, there are eight of these judicial circuits, each embracmg several counties, into which the judges go twice a year, viz. in the vacations after Hilary and Trinity terms.

3 Bl. Com. 67, 58. 3 Stepk. Com. 421, 423. Warren*8 Latb. Studies, 318.

The United States are divided into nine circuits.

1 Kent's Com. 301.

A similar division prevails in most of the individual states. See Nisi Prtus, Courts of assise and Nisi Priu Sy Circuit courts. Circuits, as the term is used in England, may he otherwise defined to be, the periodicaipropresses of the judges of the superior courts of common law, through the several counties of England and Wales, for the purpose of administering civil and criminal justice.

P.

Cyclopaedia

These modem circuits or progresses have taken the place of the eyres or itinera of the ancient system. See Assises, Eyre, Iter,