Star Chamber

American  

noun

1. a former court of inquisitorial and criminal jurisdiction in England that sat without a jury and that became noted for its arbitrary methods and severe punishments, abolished 1641.

2. any tribunal, committee, or the like, which proceeds by arbitrary or unfair methods.

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Star Chamber British  

noun

1. English history the Privy Council sitting as a court of equity, esp powerful under the Tudor monarchs; abolished 1641

2. (sometimes not capitals) any arbitrary tribunal dispensing summary justice

3. (sometimes not capitals) (in Britain, in a Conservative government) a group of senior ministers who make the final decision on the public spending of each government department

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Star Chamber Cultural  

1. A royal court that began in England in the Middle Ages; cases were heard there without juries. Under the early Stuart kings, it was known for its tyrannical judgments. The name came from the courtroom's ceiling, which was painted with stars.

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Discover More

Star Chamber is used as a general descriptive term for arbitrary tactics by a judge.

Etymology

Origin of Star Chamber

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400

Example Sentences

“Knight was subjected to a Star Chamber process to adhere to the party line — that I had been acting in bad faith and had not adhered to the process,” Bolton wrote.

From New York Times

It had been a while since I'd heard mention of a "Star Chamber".

From BBC

Indeed, it would be far more consistent with the authoritarian zeal of the Star Chamber and the Puritans who coerced public confessions of alleged spiritual offenses in the 16th century.

From Washington Post

“Your legacy will be that of turning the House of Representatives from a revered legislative body into a Star Chamber of partisan persecution.”

From Washington Times

“This is a Star Chamber, illicit and part of their conspiracy to violate constitutional rights condoned by their media lamb dogs,” Giuliani added.

From Seattle Times