Legal Definitions - Court of Errors and Appeals

The Court of Errors and Appeals was a historical judicial body that functioned as the highest court, or "court of last resort," in certain states, most notably New Jersey and New York, during specific periods in their history. This meant that once a case reached this court and a decision was made, there were no further avenues for appeal within that state's judicial system; its rulings were considered final and binding for the state.

• Imagine a complex property dispute in 19th-century New York. A farmer believes his neighbor has encroached upon his land, leading to a lawsuit. After the local county court rules against the farmer, he appeals to an intermediate appellate court, which also upholds the original decision. If the farmer still believed an error was made in the application of the law, his final recourse within the New York state system would have been to appeal to the Court of Errors and Appeals. This court would then review the case, and its judgment would be the definitive and final word on the matter within the state.

• Consider a significant commercial contract disagreement between two shipping companies operating out of New Jersey in the mid-1800s. The dispute involves a large sum of money and complex legal interpretations of maritime law as applied by the state. After the initial trial court and subsequent appeals to a state appellate division, one company still feels the law was misapplied. For a final determination on the legal issues within New Jersey's jurisdiction, the case would have been brought before the Court of Errors and Appeals. Its ruling would settle the dispute definitively, establishing a precedent for similar cases in the state.