Define: Circuit Court

A Circuit Court is a type of trial court found in many common law jurisdictions, including the United States and some other countries. Circuit Courts typically have jurisdiction over a specific geographic area known as a “circuit.” These courts handle a wide range of cases, including civil, criminal, family, and probate matters, depending on the jurisdiction’s laws and court structure. In some jurisdictions, Circuit Courts are the highest trial courts, while in others, they may be intermediate courts of appeal. The name “circuit” originates from historical practices where judges would travel on a regular circuit to hold court sessions in various locations within their jurisdiction. Today, Circuit Courts may have multiple judges and permanent court facilities, serving as important venues for the administration of justice within their respective jurisdictions.

The name used for the principal trial court in many states. In the federal system, appellate courts are organized into thirteen circuits. Eleven of these cover different geographical areas of the country — for example, the United States Court of Appeal for the Ninth Circuit covers Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon and Washington. The remaining circuits are the District of Columbia Circuit and the Federal Circuit, (which hears patent, customs and other specialized cases based on subject matter). The term derives from an age before mechanized transit, when judges and lawyers rode “the circuit” of their territory to hold court in various places.

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This glossary post was last updated: 29th March, 2024.