In ancient Rome, an oblong structure with a semicircular apse was used for a court of justice and a place of public assembly. 2: an early Christian church building consisting of a nave and aisles, a clerestory, and a great high transept into which an apse extends. 3: a large church built in a Roman basilica style. Basilica is a large, open hall with columns around its edge; it may be used as a church or a temple. The word "basilica" comes from the Greek basileus (βασιλεύς), meaning "king." In Latin churches, the term refers to a large cathedral-like building with a central nave and two aisles; often there are smaller side aisles attached to each end of the main body. In North America, the term "cathedral" usually implies a large church built in the Romanesque or Gothic styles, while a basilica can be either small or very large. In English law, a basilica is a large room where legal cases are heard by judges. These cases may concern any matter before the courts, including criminal matters, civil cases, and administrative proceedings. Judges are given jurisdiction over certain types of cases by statute or rule made by the courts that govern them. For example, British judges have jurisdiction over family law matters, while American judges handle more general categories of cases such as personal injury lawsuits.