Court of Common Pleas (England)
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The Court of Common Pleas was the oldest common law court, established during the late 12th century, and dealt with civil cases between party and party. It was the busiest court in the 15th century and had a Chief Justice and five puisne judges. It was seated at Westminster Hall and on pleas over account, covenant, debt, detinue and land it had a near monopoly. This court was also the most expensive and therefore the most profitable for judges, clerks and practitioners. The Crown also profitted from the court because it was ordered to fine every debt and seize chattels and goods of all outlaws. In 1880 it was amalgamated into the King's Bench Division of the High Court of Justice.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- G. R. Elton, The Tudor Constitution: Second Edition (Cambridge University Press, 1982).
- Arthur Kinney, Tudor England: An Encyclopedia (Garland Science, 2000).
