CIRCUMSPECTE AGATIS

Circumspecte agatis (s<<schwa>>r-k<<schwa>>m-spek-tee <<schwa>>-gay-tis). [Latin “that you act cir-cumspectly”] Hist. A directive from the king to his justices detailing the boundaries of ecclesiastical jurisdiction. • The directive, issued circa 1285, was originally in the form of a writ, but over time acquired statutory authority. The title Circumspecte agatis derives from the first few words of the writ: “Rex talibus judicibus salutem; Cir-cumspecte agatis….” [Blacks Law 8th]