Peritus

In Roman law, peritus (plural: periti) refers to an expert or skilled person called upon to provide testimony or judgment on matters requiring specialized knowledge. The peritus differed from a regular witness, who would testify based on personal observation or experience. Instead, the peritus was consulted due to their expertise in a particular field, such as medicine, surveying, or craftsmanship.

The role of the peritus was significant in legal proceedings as they could offer informed opinions and assessments that would assist the judge or jury in understanding complex issues and reaching a just decision. Their testimony could influence the outcome of a case where specialized knowledge was crucial for determining facts or interpreting evidence. The weight given to the testimony of a peritus would depend on their recognized expertise and the perceived reliability of their methods.

The concept of the peritus laid a foundation for the modern use of expert witnesses in legal systems around the world.