Simple English definitions for legal terms
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La Chambre des Esteilles is a French term that means The Star Chamber. It was a court in England that had a lot of power and could make decisions about both civil and criminal cases. However, it was known for being very secretive, unfair, and oppressive. People were forced to confess to crimes, and there were no juries to decide if someone was guilty or not. The Star Chamber was abolished in 1641 because it was abusing its power. Nowadays, the term can be used to describe any secretive, unfair, or oppressive court or process.
Definition: La Chambre des Esteilles (pronounced luh sham-bruh dey zes-tay) is a French term that refers to the Star Chamber, an English court known for its secretive, arbitrary, and oppressive procedures.
Example: The Star Chamber was a court in England that had broad civil and criminal jurisdiction at the king's discretion. It was known for its oppressive procedures, such as compulsory self-incrimination and inquisitorial investigation, and the absence of juries. The court was abolished in 1641 because of its abuses of power.
Explanation: The example illustrates how the Star Chamber was a secretive, arbitrary, and oppressive tribunal that violated the rights of the accused. The court's procedures were unfair and unjust, and it was abolished because of its abuses of power. The term "La Chambre des Esteilles" is used to refer to the Star Chamber in French, highlighting its reputation as a notorious court.