Gran i General Consell
The Gran i General Consell (Catalan: "Great and General Council") was the supreme political, administrative, and representative organ of the Kingdom of Majorca. Since the Kingdom of Majorca did not have courts, the Gran i General Consell took over most of the functions they would otherwise have had, including the role of a representative body. The Gran i General Consell evolved from the Catalan municipal councils, especially that of the City of Majorca (present-day Palma de Mallorca. The body that was to become the Gran i General Consell was founded in 1249, and the Consell  was abolished on 22 July 1718 by Philip V, empowered by the Nova Planta Decree of Majorca and Ibiza (28 November 1715). At the same time, all other separate Majorcan institutions were dissolved. Three important characteristics of the Gran i General Consell were: Differences between the Consell and the Courts. Unlike the Courts of the Crown of Aragon, the Consell could not be summoned by the king but was subject to the jurisdiction of the judges. Similarities between the Consell and the Courts. Both the Consell and the Courts were collegiate organs, the Consell being composed of members divided into  the same categories as the members of the Courts (12 Knights, 12 Citizens, 8 merchants, 12 minstrels, 28 representatives from the towns). The Consell collaborated with the king in matters of legislation and administration, and had the power to oversee over the king in his relations with the Consell itself. Functions of the Consell. The Consell was a debating chamber, and could convene on the orders of the judges and in the absence of the king and the viceroy. However, in the absence of the viceroy, the judges and the , who were nominated specially for the purpose, the Consell could  not act as an executive body. Decisions were taken by majority vote, and it could act in defence of the realm, or assist the king's officers. Election. Location. The Council met at the "Sala de la Juraria" on the Plaça de les Corts (Plaza of the Court) in Palma (the city of Mallorca); as of 2008, the building houses the Ajuntament (city government) of Palma.