Legal Definitions - hold pleas

Hold pleas is an archaic legal term that refers to the act of a court or a judge formally hearing and deciding legal cases. Essentially, it means to preside over judicial proceedings and render judgments or verdicts.

Here are some examples to illustrate this term:

• Imagine a local baron in medieval England. He would regularly hold pleas in his manorial court, listening to accusations of petty theft among villagers or resolving disputes over property boundaries. After hearing all sides, he would deliver a judgment. This illustrates the baron acting as a judge, formally hearing and trying cases within his jurisdiction.

• Consider a circuit judge traveling through the American colonies in the 18th century. Upon arriving in a new town, the judge would establish a temporary court to hold pleas for various matters, ranging from civil disputes like unpaid debts to more serious criminal charges. This demonstrates the judge's role in presiding over a range of legal proceedings and making decisions.

• Picture a high court in 17th-century England. The justices of this court would convene to hold pleas for significant cases, such as treason trials against political figures or complex inheritance disputes involving noble families. They would meticulously hear testimony, review evidence, and listen to legal arguments before issuing a final ruling. This highlights the formal process of a court trying serious and complex cases.