Legal Term Dictionary

Search our free database of thousands of legal terms. The easiest-to-read, most user-friendly guide to legal terms.This dictionary is from the early 20th century and is not to be construed as legal advice.

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  • COURT-HAND
    In old English practice. The peculiar hand in which the records of courts were written from the earliest period down to the reign of George II. Its characteristics were great strength, compactness, and undevlating uniformity; and its use undoubtedly gave to the ancient record its acknowledged superiority over the modern, More...
  • COURT-HOUSE
    The building occupied for the public sessions of a court, with its various offices. The term may be used of a place temporarily occupied for the sessions of a court, though not the regular courthouse. Harris v. State, 72 Miss. 960, 18 South. 387, 33 L. R. A. 85; Vigo More...
  • COURT-LANDS
    Domains or lands kept in the lord's hands to serve his family.
  • COURT-LEET
    The name of an English court of record held once in the year, and not oftener, within a particular hundred, lordship, or manor, before the steward of the leet; being the king's court granted by charter to the lords of those hundreds or manors. Its office was to view the More...
  • COURT-MARTIAL
    A military court, convened under authority of government apd the articles of war, for trying and punishing military offenses committed by soldiers or sailors in the army or navy. People v. Van Allen, 55 N. Y. 31; Carver v. U. S., 16 Ct. CI. 361; U. S. v. Mackenzie, 30 More...
  • COURT OF ADMIRALTY
    A court having jurisdiction of causes arising under the rules of admiralty law. See ADMIRALTY. —High, court of admiralty. In English law. This was a court which exercised jurisdiction in prize cases, and had general jurisdiction in maritime causes, on the instance side. Its proceedings were usually in rem, and More...
  • COURT OF ANCIENT DEMESNE
    In English law. A court of peculiar constitution, held by a bailiff appointed by the king, in which alone the tenants of the king's demesne could be impleaded. 2 Burrows, 1046; 1 Spence, Eq. Jur. 100; 2 Bl. Comm. 99; 1 Steph. Comm. 224.
  • COURT OF APPEAL, HIS MAJESTY'S
    The chief appellate tribunal of England. It was established by the judicature acts of 1873 and 1875, and is invested with the jurisdiction formerly exercised by the court of appeal in chancery, the exchequer chamber, the judicial committee of the privy council in admiralty and lunacy appeals, and with general More...
  • COURT OF APPEALS
    In American law. An appellate tribunal which, in Kentucky, Maryland, the District of Columbia, and New York, is the court of last resort. In Delaware and New Jersey, it is known as the "court of errors and appeals;" in Virginia and West Virginia, the "supreme court of appeals." In Texas More...
  • COURT OF APPEALS IN CASES OF CAPTURE
    A court erected by act of congress under the articles of confederation which preceded the adoption of the constitution. It had appellate jurisdiction in prize causes.
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