In English law . A commission from the crown, appointing certain persons therein named, jointly and severally , to keep the peace, etc. Justices of the peace are always appointed by special commission under the great seal, the form of which was settled by all the judges, A. I). 1590, and continues with little alteration to this dav. 1 Bl. Comm. 351; 3 Steph. Comm. 39, 40
Black’s Law Online Dictionary
