What is COURT OF COMMON PLEAS? Definition of COURT OF COMMON PLEAS in Black's Law Dictionary - Legal dictionary - Glossary of legal terms.
In English law. One of the four superior courts at Westminster, which existed up to the passing of the judicature acts. It was also styled the "Common Bench." It was one of the courts derived from the breaking up of the aula regis, and had exclusive jurisdiction of all real actions and of communia placita, or common pleas, i. e., between subject and subject. It was presided over by a chief justice with four puisne judges (later five, by virtue of 31 & 32 Vict. c. 125, § 11, subsec. 8). Appeals lay anciently to the king's bench, but afterwards to the exchequer chamber. See 3 Bl.Comm. 37, et seq. Its jurisdiction was altogether confined to civil matters, having no cognizance in criminal cases, and was concurrent with that of the queen's bench and exchequer in personal actions and ejectment. Wharton.
In American law. The name sometimes given to a court of original and general jurisdiction for the trial of issues of fact and law according to the principles of the common law. Moore v. Barry, 30 S.C. 530, 9 S.E. 589, 4 L.R.A. 294.
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