What does "nisi prius" refer to in legal proceedings?

"Nisi prius" refers to trial courts where cases are actually presented before a jury for adjudication. The term is derived from Latin, meaning "unless before," and traditionally refers to a specific court or trial setting where issues of fact are determined. This setting is where evidence is presented, witnesses testify, and decisions are made through the jury's verdict or a judge's ruling on the facts of the case. The other options pertain to different legal concepts: appellate courts deal with reviewing decisions made in trial courts, legal principles regarding appeals govern how appeals are formed and executed, and administrative hearings occur within governmental agencies rather than as formal trials in court. Thus, the focus on jury trials within "nisi prius" makes it specifically relevant to the trial court context.