petty sessions

American  

noun

English Law.

1. a court of summary jurisdiction for minor offenses that is held without a jury.

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petty sessions British  

noun

1. (functioning as singular or plural) another term for magistrates' court

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Example Sentences

Their desire in this direction was quickly met, and both, to the indignation of the Tories, were fined five shillings at the next petty sessions.

From The Great House by Weyman, Stanley John

This ancient market town, in which the petty sessions for the High Peak are holden, is situated on the western bank of the river Wye.

From Curiosities of Great Britain: England and Wales Delineated Vol.1-11 Historical, Entertaining & Commercial; Alphabetically Arranged. 11 Volume set. by Dugdale, Thomas Cantrell

At S. Mary Redcliffe, Bristol, the Lady Chapel has also been used for scholastic purposes, and at Waltham Abbey it has accommodated not only parochial schools but public meetings and petty sessions.

From Ecclesiastical Curiosities by Various

Thus the land-war rages at every board of guardians, in every dispensary, in every grand jury room, at every petty sessions, in every county court, in every public institution throughout the kingdom.

From The Land-War In Ireland (1870) A History For The Times by Godkin, James

I want to find out how to cut my trees, and how to manage my farmers, and how not to make a fool of myself at petty sessions.

From A Country Gentleman and his Family by Oliphant, Mrs. (Margaret)