(in England and Wales, formerly) a criminal court held four times a year before justices of the peace or a recorder, empowered to try all but the most serious offences and to hear appeals from petty sessions. Replaced in 1972 by crown courts

(in Scotland, formerly) a court held by justices of the peace four times a year, empowered tohear appeals from justice of the peace courts and to deal with some licensing matters: abolished in 1975