Legal Definitions - Court of Requests

The Court of Requests was a historical English court that operated primarily between 1483 and 1641. It was established as part of the Privy Council, which advised the monarch, and served as an accessible avenue for ordinary people to seek justice, particularly in civil matters. While its main focus was on civil disputes, it also handled certain offenses that were considered "quasi-criminal," such as riots or forgery.

The court was created to address the growing number of legal cases during the Tudor period, offering a quicker and often more affordable alternative to the traditional common law courts or the Court of Chancery. It was eventually disbanded in 1641 when the English Parliament limited the judicial powers of the Privy Council.

Here are some examples illustrating the types of situations the Court of Requests might have handled:

• Example 1: A Dispute Over Land Ownership

  Imagine a scenario in 16th-century England where a common farmer, John, believes a powerful local lord has unjustly seized a portion of his ancestral land. John might find it difficult and expensive to pursue his case through the traditional common law courts, which often favored the wealthy and influential. He could instead petition the King through the Court of Requests, seeking a more impartial and accessible hearing for his civil claim against the lord. This illustrates the court's role in providing an alternative forum for civil disputes, especially for those who might otherwise struggle to obtain justice.

• Example 2: Allegations of Forgery in a Business Contract

  Consider a merchant, Eleanor, who discovers that a document crucial to a trade agreement has been subtly altered, seemingly to her disadvantage. She suspects forgery, an offense that could be considered quasi-criminal. Rather than navigating the complex and often slow criminal justice system, Eleanor could bring her grievance to the Court of Requests. The court could investigate the alleged forgery and provide a resolution, demonstrating its jurisdiction over certain offenses that blurred the lines between civil and criminal matters.

• Example 3: A Tenant Seeking Relief from Unfair Eviction

  Suppose a tenant farmer, Thomas, is being unfairly evicted by his landlord despite having fulfilled the terms of his lease. Thomas might feel intimidated by the landlord's power and the formal procedures of other courts. He could submit a "request" to the Court of Requests, appealing directly to the Crown for intervention. The court would then hear his civil complaint, offering a pathway for ordinary subjects to seek redress against powerful individuals in matters of property and contract, which were central to many civil disputes of the era.