The Court of Requests, which was established in 1483 and formed part of the Privy Council, was responsible for handling civil cases and certain criminal cases such as forgery and riot. However, in 1641, the court was dissolved due to Parliament’s decision to restrict the judicial functions of the Privy Council. The court was initially created to alleviate the legal workload of the Council and Chancery during the Tudor era. The Masters of Requests served as the legal assessors of the court and assumed control of its operations from the latter part of Henry VIII’s reign.
The Court of Requests, established in 1483 as part of the Privy Council, had jurisdiction over civil cases and certain quasi-criminal cases such as forgery and rioting. However, in 1641, Parliament limited the judicial functions of the Privy Council, leading to the disbandment of the court. Its creation was a response to the growing judicial workload of the Council and the Chancery during the Tudor period. The Masters of Requests, who were the legal assessors of the court, took control of it after Henry VIII’s reign, effectively making it a separate entity from the Court of Star Chamber. For instance, if someone faced an accusation of forgery, they could be brought before the Court of Requests for trial. The court would then examine the evidence and determine the guilt or innocence of the accused. In the event of a guilty verdict, the court would impose appropriate punishments such as fines or imprisonment. Similarly, if two individuals were involved in a land dispute, they could present their case to the Court of Requests, which would listen to both sides and render a decision on the rightful owner of the land. These examples highlight the court’s authority over civil and quasi-criminal matters, including the responsibility of hearing evidence, making judgements, and imposing penalties.
The Court of Requests was a historic English court that dealt with small claims and disputes between individuals.
The Court of Requests primarily handled cases involving debts, loans, and other financial disputes.
To file a case in the Court of Requests, you would need to submit a written complaint or petition outlining the details of your claim.
Yes, the Court of Requests had a monetary limit on the claims it could hear. This limit varied over time, but it generally dealt with smaller claims.
Yes, you have the right to hire a lawyer to represent you in the Court of Requests. However, legal representation was not mandatory, and many individuals represented themselves.
The duration of a case in the Court of Requests varied depending on the complexity of the dispute. Some cases could be resolved within a few weeks, while others might take several months.
Yes, you could appeal a decision made by the Court of Requests. Appeals were typically heard by a higher court, such as the Court of Common Pleas.
If the defendant fails to appear in the Court of Requests, the court may proceed with the case and make a judgment in favor of the plaintiff.
No, the Court of Requests did not use juries. Cases were decided by a single judge or a panel of judges.
No, the Court of Requests was abolished in 1641. Its functions were later absorbed by other courts in the English legal system.
This site contains general legal information but does not constitute professional legal advice for your particular situation. Persuing this glossary does not create an attorney-client or legal adviser relationship. If you have specific questions, please consult a qualified attorney licensed in your jurisdiction.
This glossary post was last updated: 17th April 2024.
To help you cite our definitions in your bibliography, here is the proper citation layout for the three major formatting styles, with all of the relevant information filled in.
- Page URL:https://dlssolicitors.com/define/court-of-requests/
- Modern Language Association (MLA):Court Of Requests. dlssolicitors.com. DLS Solicitors. May 09 2024 https://dlssolicitors.com/define/court-of-requests/.
- Chicago Manual of Style (CMS):Court Of Requests. dlssolicitors.com. DLS Solicitors. https://dlssolicitors.com/define/court-of-requests/ (accessed: May 09 2024).
- American Psychological Association (APA):Court Of Requests. dlssolicitors.com. Retrieved May 09 2024, from dlssolicitors.com website: https://dlssolicitors.com/define/court-of-requests/
Our team of professionals are based in Alderley Edge, Cheshire. We offer clear, specialist legal advice in all matters relating to Family Law, Wills, Trusts, Probate, Lasting Power of Attorney and Court of Protection.
All author posts