magistrates' court (English, noun)
expansion: magistrates' court (plural magistrates' courts)
Senses:
glosses: In England and Wales, a lower court of law that deals with less serious offences, as well as initial hearings for serious offences prior to referring these to the Crown Court. Cases are heard by two or three magistrates, or sometimes a district judge, without a jury.
glosses: A similar court of law in various other countries and jurisdictions.
Forms:
form: magistrates' courts
tags: plural