postea

Postea \Post"e*a\, n. [L., after these or those (things),
   afterward.] (Law)
   The return of the judge before whom a cause was tried, after
   a verdict, of what was done in the cause, which is indorsed
   on the nisi prius record. --Wharton.
   [1913 Webster]
    

POSTEA, practice. Afterwards. The endorsement on the nisi prius record 
purporting to be the return of the judge before whom a cause is tried, of, 
what has been done in respect of such record. It states the day of trial, 
before what judge, by name, the cause is tried, and also who is or was an 
associate of such judge; it also states the appearance of the parties by 
their respective attorneys, or their defaults; and the summoning and choice 
of the jury, whether those who were originally summoned, or those who were 
tales, or taken from the standers by; it then states the finding of the jury 
upon oath, and, according to the description of the action, and the 
assessment of the damages with the occasion thereof, together with the 
costs. 
     2. These are the usual matters of fact contained in the postea, but it 
varies with the description of the action. See Lee's Dict. Postea; 2 Lill. 
P. R. 337; 16 Vin. Abr. 465; Bac. Use of the Law, Tracts, 127, 5. 
     3. When the trial is decisive, and neither the law nor the facts can 
afterwards be controverted, the postea is delivered by the proper officer to 
the attorney of the successful party, to sign his judgment; but it not 
unfrequently happens that after a verdict has been given, there is just 
cause to question its validity, in such case the postea remains in the 
custody of the court. Eunom. Dial. 2, Sec. 33, p. 116.