Peculiar

In English ecclesiastical law. An exempt jurisdiction; a parish exempt from the jurisdiction of the ordinary, and subject to the metropolitan only.

In ecclesiastical law, a parish exempt jurisdictionj and subject only to the metropolitan, holds the benefice, v. Court of Peculiars,

A particular parish or church that has jurisdiction within itself, and exemption from the ordinary. There are several sorts: Royal peculiars, which are the sovereign's free chapels, and are exempt from any jurisdiction but that of the sovereign; peculiars of the archbishops, enjoy jurisdiction in such places where their seats and possessions were; peculiars of bishops, exclusive of the jurisdiction of the bishop of the diocese in which they are situate; peculiars of bishops in their own dioceses, exclusive of archidiaconal jurisdiction; peculiars of deans, deans and chapters, prebendaries, and the like, which are places wherein, hy ancient compositions, the bishops have parted with their jurisdiction as ordinaries to these societies. Whirim.. See also Court of Peculiars. There is mention in our books of peculiars of archdeacons; but they are not properly peculiars, only subordinate jurisdictions; and a peculiar is prima facie to be understood of him who hath a co-ordinate jurisdiction with the bishop. Jacob.