blue-ribbon jury

noun
1.
a jury composed of persons having more than ordinary education and presumably exceptional intelligence and perceptiveness, selected by the court on the motion of plaintiff or defendant to try cases of unusual complexity or importance.
Also called special jury.
Origin
1935-40, Americanism
British Dictionary definitions for blue-ribbon jury

blue-ribbon jury

noun
1.
a US name for a special jury
Encyclopedia Article for blue-ribbon jury

a group, chosen from the citizenry of a district, that has special qualifications to try a complex or important case. The blue-ribbon jury is intended to overcome the problems of ordinary juries in interpreting complex technical or commercial questions. In the United States blue-ribbon juries were provided for by statutes, the terms varying by jurisdiction. In deference to the principle of equality, the use of blue-ribbon juries is now obsolete in the United States.

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