Common Pleas
Defined in 8 dictionaries — Cyclopedic (1922), Ballentine's (1916), Bouvier (1914), Black's (1910), Black's (1891), Stimson (1881), Burrill (1850), Bouvier (1839)
The Cyclopedic Law Dictionary
Walter A. Shumaker and George Foster Longsdorf; ed. James C. Cahill · 1922
The name of a court having jurisdiction generally of civil actions. Such pleas or actions as are brought by private persons against private persons, or by the government, when the cause of action is of a civil nature. In England, whence we derived this phrase, common pleas are so called to distinguish them from pleas of the crown.
Ballentine's Law Dictionary
James A. Ballentine · 1916
Bouvier's Law Dictionary and Concise Encyclopedia
John Bouvier; revised by Francis Rawle · 1914
The name of a court having jurisdiction generally of civil actions. Such pleas or actions are brought by private persons against private persons, or by the government, when the cause of action is of a civil nature. In England, whence we derived this phrase, common pleas are so called to distinguish them from pleas of the crown. The Court of Common Picas in England consisted of one chief and four puisne (associate) Justice*. It is thought by some to have been established by king John for the purpose of diminishing the power of the aula regis, but Is referred by some- writers to a much earlier period. 8 Co. 289; 1 Poll. & Maltl. 177; Termes de la Ley; 3 Bla. Comm. 39. It exercised an exclusive original jurisdiction In many classes of civil cases. See 3 Sharsw. Bla. Comm. 38, n. The right of practising in this court was for a long time confined to two classes of practitioners, limited in number; see Serjeant; but is now thrown open to the bar generally. Its jurisdiction Is merged In the High Court of Justice. See Courts of England. Courts of the same name exist In many states.
Black's Law Dictionary
Henry Campbell Black, M.A. · 1910
A Dictionary of Law
Henry Campbell Black · 1891
The rame of a gout of record having general original jurisdiction in civil suils. Common causes or suits, A term ancientiy used to denote civil actions, or those depending between subject and subject, ag distinguished from pleas of the crown.
Glossary of Technical Terms, Phrases, and Maxims of the Common Law
Frederic Jesup Stimson · 1881
Exchequer, Pleas at Lancaster, Pleas Except, however, the apin Chancery (Court, court of appeal in bank- Appeal in Chancery of jurisdiction, whether
A New Law Dictionary and Glossary
Alexander M. Burrill · 1850
[L. Lat. communia placita; L. Fr. comunes plees.] Common causes or suits. A term anciently used to denote civil actions, or those depending between subject and subject, as distinguished from pleas of the crown, (q. v.) 3 Bl. Com. 38, 40. Britt. fol. 2 b. The singular "common plea" is sometimes used in the old books. Nul common plee ne soit desormes tenus a leschequer, Artic. sup. Chart. c. 4.
A Law Dictionary, Adapted to the Constitution and Laws of the United States
John Bouvier · 1839
The name of a court having jurisdiction generally of civil actions. Vide Common Bench.