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.

Nearby words

court martial, court of appeal, court of appeals, court of chancery, court of claims, court of common pleas, court of domestic relations, court of equity, court of exchequer, court of first instance, court of general sessions

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