court of common pleas

or Court of Common Pleas

noun Law.

(formerly in England) a court to hear civil cases between common citizens.

(in some U.S. states) a court with general civil jurisdiction.

Origin of court of common pleas

First recorded in 1680–90

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for court of common pleas

Court of Common Pleas

noun

English law (formerly) a superior court exercising jurisdiction in civil actions between private citizens

US law (in some states) a court exercising original and general jurisdiction

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012