Simple English definitions for legal terms
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A Court of Common Pleas is a type of court that used to exist in England and Wales. It was a superior court that dealt with legal cases between people, such as disputes over property or contracts. The court was presided over by a chief justice and several other judges. Nowadays, in some states in the United States, a Court of Common Pleas is an intermediate-level or trial court that has general jurisdiction over many types of cases.
The Court of Common Pleas is a type of court that has existed in different forms throughout history. It has had different roles and jurisdictions depending on the time and place. Here are some examples:
In the past, the Court of Common Pleas was a superior court that had jurisdiction over all real actions and common pleas. This means that it dealt with legal disputes between subjects, such as property rights or contracts. The court was presided over by a chief justice and several other judges. For example, in England, the Court of Common Pleas was established in the 13th century and was later merged into the High Court of Justice.
In some states, such as Arkansas, the Court of Common Pleas is an intermediate-level court. This means that it is between the lower-level courts and the higher-level courts. It may have limited jurisdiction over certain types of cases, such as civil or criminal cases.
In some states, such as Ohio, Pennsylvania, and South Carolina, the Court of Common Pleas is a trial court of general jurisdiction. This means that it has the power to hear and decide a wide range of cases, both civil and criminal. It is usually the highest-level court in the state's judicial system.
For example, if someone in Ohio wants to file a lawsuit against another person, they would file it in the Court of Common Pleas. The court would then hear the case and make a decision based on the evidence presented.