Postea

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Postea \Post"e*a\, n. [L., after these or those (things),
     afterward.] (Law)
     The return of the judge before whom a cause was tried, after
     a verdict, of what was done in the cause, which is indorsed
     on the nisi prius record. --Wharton.
     [1913 Webster]



From Bouvier's Law Dictionary, Revised 6th Ed (1856) [bouvier]:

  POSTEA, practice. Afterwards. The endorsement on the nisi prius record 
  purporting to be the return of the judge before whom a cause is tried, of, 
  what has been done in respect of such record. It states the day of trial, 
  before what judge, by name, the cause is tried, and also who is or was an 
  associate of such judge; it also states the appearance of the parties by 
  their respective attorneys, or their defaults; and the summoning and choice 
  of the jury, whether those who were originally summoned, or those who were 
  tales, or taken from the standers by; it then states the finding of the jury 
  upon oath, and, according to the description of the action, and the 
  assessment of the damages with the occasion thereof, together with the 
  costs. 
       2. These are the usual matters of fact contained in the postea, but it 
  varies with the description of the action. See Lee's Dict. Postea; 2 Lill. 
  P. R. 337; 16 Vin. Abr. 465; Bac. Use of the Law, Tracts, 127, 5. 
       3. When the trial is decisive, and neither the law nor the facts can 
  afterwards be controverted, the postea is delivered by the proper officer to 
  the attorney of the successful party, to sign his judgment; but it not 
  unfrequently happens that after a verdict has been given, there is just 
  cause to question its validity, in such case the postea remains in the 
  custody of the court. Eunom. Dial. 2, Sec. 33, p. 116.