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Also known as: court of justice, court of law, law court, tribunal(Show More)
Written by
Delmar Karlen
Professor of Law, New York University, New York City, 1953–77. Author of Judicial Administration: The American Experience and others.
Delmar KarlenAll
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Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree....
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court, a person or body of persons having judicial authority to hear and resolve disputes in civil, criminal, ecclesiastical, or military cases. The word court, which originally meant simply an enclosed place, also denotes the chamber, hall, building, or other place where judicial proceedings are held. (See also military law; arbitration.) This article deals with the operations of the judicial branch of government. It explores some of the fundamental relationships of this branch with legislative...

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