Circuit Courts

the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia, the jurisdiction of the latter court which undoubtedly existed prior to the establishment of the Commerce Court was not vested in the Commerce Court, but has continued in the Supreme Court of the District.

In American Taw. Courts whose jurisdiction extends over several counties or districts, and of which terms are held in the various counties or districts to which their jurisdiction extends. The term is applied in several states to courts of general original jurisdiction, terms of which are held in the various counties or districts of the state. It is unknown in the classification of English courts, and conveys a different idea in the various States in which it is adopted. system of federal courts, holding terms in several places in each of the several judicial circuits. See "Circuit." They had original jurisdiction of substantially all civil cases which, by reason of the citizenship of the parties, or the nature of the subject-matter, were of federal cognizance. See "District Courts." 1 Kent, Comm. 301-303; Rev. St. U. S. 1878, § 605 et seq. They were abolished by the Act of March 3, 1911, 36 Stat. 1167.

Courts whose jurisdiction extends over several counties or districts, and of which terms are held in the various counties or districts to which their jurisdiction extends. The term was applied distinctively to a class of the federal courts of the United States, of which terms are held in two or more places successively the various circuits into which the whole country divided for this purpose. The name was changed to district court by the Judiciary Act of March 3, 1911, in effect January 1, 1912. See United States Courts. In some states it applies to courts of general jurisdiction of which terms are held in the various counties or districts of the state. Such courts sit in some instances as courts of nisi prius, in others, either at nisi prius or in banc. They may have an equity as well as a common-law jurisdiction, and may be both civil and criminal courts. The systems of the various states are widely different in these respects; and reference must be had to the articles on the different states for an explanation of the system adopted in each. The term is unknown in the classification of English courts, and conveys a different idea in the various states in which it is adopted as the designation of a court or class of courts, although the constitution of such courts, in many instances, is quite analogous to that of the English courts of assize and nisi prius.

The name of a system of courts of the United States, invested with general original jurisdiction of such matters and causes as are of Federal cognizance, except the matters specially delegated to the district courts. The United States circuit courts are held by one of the justices of the supreme court appointed for the circuit, (and bearing the name, in that capacity, of circuit justice,) together with the circuit judge and the district judge of the district in which they are held. Their business is not only the supervision of trials of issues in fact, but the hearing of causes as a court in banc; and they have equity as well as common-law jurisdiction, together with appellate jurisdiction from the decrees and judgments of the district courts. 1 Kent, Comm. 301-303. In several of the states, circuit court is the name given to a tribunal, the territorial jurisdiction of which comprises several counties or districts, and whose sessions are held in such counties or districts alternately. These courts usually have general original jurisdiction.

In American law. Courts held in the several federal and state circuits. The United States circuit courts are held by one of the justices of the supreme court appointed for the circuit, (and oearing the name, in that capacity, of circuit judge,) together with the district judge of the district in which they are held. Their business is not only the supervision of trials of issues in fact, but the hearing of causes as a court in banc; and they have equity as well as common law jurisdiction, together with appellate jurisdiction from the decrees and judgments of the district courts. 1 Kent's Com, 301 — 303. The state circuit courts are usually heldsolely for the trial of issues of fact, like the English courts of Assise and Nisi Prius,