Bones Gents
The Cyclopedic Law Dictionary · Walter A. Shumaker and George Foster Longsdorf; ed. James C. Cahill · 1922
The Cyclopedic Law Dictionary
In Old English law. Good men. BONI HOMINES (Law Lat.) In old European law. Good men; a name given, In early European jurisprudence, to the tenants of the lord, who judged each other in the lord's courts.
3 Bl. Comm. 349.
Blackstone, speaking of the origin of juries, says that all the nations which adopted the feudal system, as Germany, France, and Italy, had a tribunal composed of twelve good men and true (boni homines), usually the vassals or tenants of the lord, being the equals or peers of the parties litigant. Esprit des Lois, liv.
30, c. 18.
This term has survived in the courts to the present day. BONI JUDICIS EST AMPLIARE JURISdictionem; justitiam In. It is the part of a good judge to enlarge his jurisdiction; that is, his remedial authority.
1 Burrows, 304; Chanc. Prec. 329; 1 Wils. 284; 9 Mees. & W. 818; 1 C. B. (N. S.) 255; 4 Bing. N. C. 233; 4 Scott, N. R. 229; 17 Mass. 310.
BONI JUDICIS EST CAUSAS LITIUM dirimere
It is the duty of a good judge to remove causes of litigation.
2 Inst. 306.
BONI JUDICIS EST JUDICIUM SINE dllatione mandare executloni. It is the duty of a good judge to cause execution to Issue on a judgment without delay.
Co. Litt. 289.