Define: Court Of Kings Bench

The Court of King’s Bench was a common law court in England that had jurisdiction over criminal and civil cases. It was one of the highest courts in the country.

The Court of King’s Bench primarily dealt with cases involving serious criminal offenses, such as treason, murder, and robbery. It also had jurisdiction over civil cases, including disputes between individuals and cases involving the Crown.

Unlike other courts, the Court of King’s Bench had the power of “writs of error,” which allowed it to review and overturn decisions made by lower courts. It also had the authority to issue writs of habeas corpus, which protected individuals from unlawful detention.

The Court of King’s Bench was presided over by the Chief Justice of the King’s Bench, who was appointed by the monarch. The court also had several other judges, known as puisne judges, who assisted in hearing cases.

To bring a case before the Court of King’s Bench, one had to file a writ, which was a formal legal document that initiated the proceedings. The writ had to be properly drafted and served on the opposing party to commence the legal action.

Yes, the Court of King’s Bench had the authority to issue judgments against the Crown. However, in practice, it was rare for the court to rule against the monarch or the government.

The Court of King’s Bench was abolished in 1875 when it was merged with other courts to form the High Court of Justice. This restructuring was part of broader legal reforms in England.

In modern times, the functions of the Court of King’s Bench have been divided among various courts. For criminal cases, the functions are now handled by the Crown Court, while civil cases are heard in the High Court.

Yes, the Court of King’s Bench heard many significant cases throughout its history. Some notable examples include the trial of Sir Walter Raleigh for treason in 1603 and the case of Entick v. Carrington in 1765, which established the principle of the right to privacy in English law.