DEEMSTERS, or DEMSTERS; (from the Saxon
4 U
deems,
dema, judge or umpire). All controversies in the Isle of Man are decided without process, writings, or any charges, by certain judges, chosen yearly from among themselves, called deemsters; there being two of them for each division of the island: they sit judges in all courts, either for life or property; and with the advice of 24 keys, declare what is law in uncommon emergencies.