HUISSIER

(Fr. from the old word huis, a door; whence our usher.) Executive officers in the French courts of justice, whose original function was to keep the door of the tribunal. Such officers were styled by the Romans apparitores, cohort a les, executores, and by a variety of other names. In France the hui iers were originally a subdivision of the general cla of servientes, sergens; but afterwards these latter came to be called indiscriminately hui iers. Their functions are now numerous and important. They give notice on behalf of and execute the proce es of the courts to which they are attached, both civil and criminal. Those of the Court of Ca ation are appointed by itself; those of the Cours Royales on the recommendation of those courts; those of courts of commerce by the government. The officers termed hui iers-priseurs, or commi aires-priseurs, are employed as appraisers at public sales. [s. 579]