sheriff's court

noun

1

English law : a court held by a sheriff or an undersheriff with a jury and authorized to assess damages in undefended and in compulsory taking-of-land cases, to find the value of defendants' lands taken on executions, and formerly to try other issues of fact sent to it by courts of superior jurisdiction

2

Scots law : a court presided over by a sheriff depute or a sheriff substitute trained in law that is the ordinary and the small debt court and a criminal court and since 1913 has jurisdiction in practically all civil actions with the principal exceptions of actions involving the status of marriage, divorce, or legitimacy, reductions, winding-up of companies where paid-up capital exceeds £10,000, and actions to prove the text of lost documents but cannot sentence to more than two years' imprisonment

The Ultimate Dictionary Awaits

Expand your vocabulary and dive deeper into language with Merriam-Webster Unabridged.

1. Expanded definitions
2. Detailed etymologies
3. Advanced search tools
4. All ad-free

Discover what makes Merriam-Webster Unabridged the essential choice for true word lovers.

Start Your Free Trial Now