'To lay a venue' definitions:

Definition of 'To lay a venue'

From: GCIDE

Venue \Ven"ue\ (v[e^]n"[-u]), n. [F. venue a coming, arrival, fr. venir to come, L. venire; hence, in English, the place whither the jury are summoned to come. See Come, and cf. Venew, Veney.]
1. (Law) A neighborhood or near place; the place or county in which anything is alleged to have happened; also, the place where an action is laid. [1913 Webster]
The twelve men who are to try the cause must be of the same venue where the demand is made. --Blackstone. [1913 Webster]
Note: In certain cases, the court has power to change the venue, which is to direct the trial to be had in a different county from that where the venue is laid. [1913 Webster]
2. A bout; a hit; a turn. See Venew. [R.] [1913 Webster]
To lay a venue (Law), to allege a place. [1913 Webster]