Jurat vs. Oath — What's the Difference?

The jurats () are lay people in Guernsey and Jersey who act as judges of fact rather than law, though they preside over land conveyances and liquor licensing. In Alderney, however, the jurats are judges of both fact and law (assisted by their learned clerk) in both civil and criminal matters.

Traditionally an oath (from Anglo-Saxon āð, also called plight) is either a statement of fact or a promise with wording relating to something considered sacred as a sign of verity. A common legal substitute for those who conscientiously object to making sacred oaths is to give an affirmation instead.

A clause attached to an affidavit, in which a notary or legally authorized officer attests to the fact that the affidavit was made under oath.

A solemn promise, often invoking a divine witness, regarding one's future action or behaviour

(legal) A sworn statement concerning where, when, and before whom an oath has been made.

A profane or offensive expression used to express anger or other strong emotions

A sworn person, particularly:

A solemn, formal declaration or promise to fulfill a pledge, often calling on God, a god, or a sacred object as witness.

A medieval informant: a man sworn to provide information about crimes committed in his neighborhood.

The words or formula of such a declaration or promise.

A juror.

Something declared or promised.

A councilman or alderman of the Cinque Ports.

An irreverent or blasphemous use of the name of God or something held sacred.

A magistrate of Channel Islands, serving for life, who forms part of the islands' royal court.

An imprecation; a curse.

(historical) A municipal officer of Bordeaux and certain other French towns.

A solemn pledge or promise that invokes a deity, a ruler, or another entity (not necessarily present) to attest the truth of a statement or sincerity of one's desire to fulfill a contract or promise.

A member of any association sworn to do nothing against its internal rules.

A statement or promise which is strengthened (affirmed) by such a pledge.

A person under oath; specifically, an officer of the nature of an alderman, in certain municipal corporations in England.

A light, irreverent or insulting appeal to a deity or other entity.

The memorandum or certificate at the end of an asffidavit, or a bill or answer in chancery, showing when, before whom, and (in English practice), where, it was sworn or affirmed.

A curse, a curse word.

(archaic) To pledge.

A solemn affirmation or declaration, made with a reverent appeal to God for the truth of what is affirmed.

A solemn affirmation, connected with a sacred object, or one regarded as sacred, as the temple, the altar, the blood of Abel, the Bible, the Koran, etc.

An appeal (in verification of a statement made) to a superior sanction, in such a form as exposes the party making the appeal to an indictment for perjury if the statement be false.

A careless and blasphemous use of the name of the divine Being, or anything divine or sacred, by way of appeal or as a profane exclamation or ejaculation; an expression of profane swearing.

Profane or obscene expression usually of surprise or anger;

A commitment to tell the truth (especially in a court of law); to lie under oath is to become subject to prosecution for perjury

A solemn promise, usually invoking a divine witness, regarding your future acts or behavior;