Simple English definitions for legal terms
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Bishop's Court: A special court held in the cathedral of a diocese, where the bishop's chancellor acts as a judge and applies civil canon law. This court deals with matters related to the church, such as appeals from the Court of Archdeacon. In some large dioceses, the bishop's chancellor may have commissaries in remote areas who hold consistory courts. Consistory courts are similar to bishop's courts and are presided over by the bishop's chancellor or the chancellor's commissary. They deal with matters related to the clergy and church property, such as cemeteries.
Definition: Bishop's court refers to an ecclesiastical court that is usually held in the diocese cathedral and presided over by the bishop's chancellor. It is a court that applies civil canon law and has jurisdiction over appeals from the Court of Archdeacon. In a large diocese, the bishop's chancellor would have commissaries in remote parts who held consistory courts.
Example: In England, a consistory court is a type of bishop's court that exercises jurisdiction over the clergy and church property, such as a cemetery, and other ecclesiastical matters. Consistory courts are presided over by the bishop's chancellor or the chancellor's commissary.
Explanation: The example illustrates how a consistory court is a type of bishop's court that has jurisdiction over specific ecclesiastical matters. It is presided over by the bishop's chancellor or the chancellor's commissary, who applies civil canon law to resolve disputes related to the clergy and church property.