Peer Definition and Legal Meaning

On this page, you'll find the legal definition and meaning of Peer, written in plain English, along with examples of how it is used.

What is Peer?

Person or entity having equal standing as others or who are equivalent. “jury of one’s peers” is the term refered to the constitutional right of the defendant to have a jury who is not partial and usually from the same district where the defendant lived.

History and Meaning of Peer

The word 'peer' has its roots in the Latin word 'par', which means 'equal'. In the legal context, a peer is someone who holds an equal status or rank to others within the same group or organization. This can refer to individuals within a jury, or members of Parliament in the UK's House of Lords.

Examples of Peer

Some examples of the term 'peer' in different contexts can include:

  • Jury of one's peers: In criminal trials, the defendant has the right to be judged by a jury that consists of individuals who are similar in demographic to themselves. This is often referred to as a 'jury of one's peers'.

  • Peer review: In academia and scientific research, peer review refers to the process of having a work reviewed by experts in the same field before it is published or accepted.

  • Peer-to-peer (P2P) networking: This refers to a type of network where two or more computers can connect directly to each other to share files and information, without the need for a central server.

Legal Terms Similar to Peer

  • Equal standing: This term refers to parties who have the same legal rights and privileges, and who are entitled to the same treatment under the law.

  • Equivalent: In the legal context, this term is used to describe situations where two things have the same value or legal effect, even if they are not identical.