petty sessions

American

noun

English Law.

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

petty sessions British

noun

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

"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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

At the Ballycastle petty sessions a woman summoned by this lady for overholding, as they call it, appeared by her son and pleaded that she had been illegally evicted.

From The Letters of "Norah" on Her Tour Through Ireland by McDougall, Margaret Moran Dixon

Confound it, Morris," exclaimed the Colonel, losing patience; "don't chop logic like a petty sessions lawyer.

From Stella Fregelius by Haggard, Henry Rider

Then they should appoint petty sessions for the signing of certificates at such times and places that the royal officers may attend and be heard.

From Bygone Cumberland and Westmorland by Scott, Daniel

The principal solicitor, Mr. Stork, was clerk of the petty sessions and registrar.

From A Book of Ghosts by Baring-Gould, S. (Sabine)

The town, which formerly sent a member to parliament, is governed by a bailiff and eight burgesses; and the petty sessions are held here.

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

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023