Legal Dictionary of Pakistan

Commission of Oyer and Terminer

[Law French oyer et terminer "to hear and determine"] Hist. A royal appointment authorizing a judge (often a serjeant-at-law) to go on the assize circuit and hear felony and treason cases. Cf COMMISSION OF GAOL DELIVERY; COURT OF OYER AND TERMINER."[U]nder the commission of Oyer and Terminer, as the judges are directed to inquire as well as to hear and determine the same, they can only proceed upon an indictment found at the same assize, and before themselves; for they must first inquire by means of the grand jury or inquest, before they are empowered to hear and determine by the intervention of the petit jury." 1 Joseph Chitty, A Practical Treatise on the Criminal Law 142 (2d ed. 1826).