county court

American  

noun

1. (in the U.S.)

   1. an administrative board in counties in some states.

   2. a judicial tribunal in some states with jurisdiction extending over one or more counties.

2. (in England)

   1. the lowest civil tribunal, having limited jurisdiction, mostly for the recovery of small debts.

   2. (formerly) the assembly of local residents who met periodically in each county under the presidency of the sheriff to transact the judicial and administrative business of the county.

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county court British  

noun

1. (in England) a local court exercising limited jurisdiction in civil matters

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Etymology

Origin of county court

First recorded in 1525–35

Example Sentences

The county court system, which hears criminal cases as well as a multitude of civil matters, is vast with locations as far north as Lancaster and as far south as Catalina Island.

From Los Angeles Times • May 1, 2026

The 65-year-old learned he would lose his home in Thetford, Norfolk, during a brisk 10-minute county court hearing earlier this year.

From BBC • Nov. 18, 2025

Daniel, the homeless man outside the county court, said he’s from Michigan but has been homeless in Malibu, Topanga and Santa Monica for 21 years.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 17, 2025

In their latest report, insolvency experts at Begbies Traynor said a company can be considered in critical financial distress if they have an outstanding county court judgment of over £5,000 or face a winding-up petition.

From BBC • Jan. 23, 2025

Eric’s father was the clerk of the county court and often passed on news of particularly juicy trials to Eric, whose popularity increased in proportion.

From "The Book of Dust: La Belle Sauvage" by Philip Pullman