nisi prius

noun | \ -ˈprī-əs, -ˈprē-u̇s \ | nisi pri·us
  1. : a court of record that tries an issue of fact before a jury and a single judge : trial court; also : the proceedings in such a court : the conducting of jury trials long-distance travel eliminated the nisi prius practice of the justices —W. J. Brennan, Jr. : the proceedings in such a court : the conducting of jury trials long-distance travel eliminated the nisi prius practice of the justices —W. J. Brennan, Jr.