king’s bench

King’s Bench. Historically, the highest common-law court in England, presided over by the reigning monarch. • When a queen begins to reign, the name automatically changes to Queen’s Bench. In 1873, during Queen Victoria’s reign, the court’s jurisdiction was transferred to the Queen’s Bench Division of the High Court of Justice. — Abbr. K.B.

— Also termed Court of King’s Bench; Coram Rege Court. Cf. QUEEN’S BENCH; QUEEN’S BENCH DIVISION.

“The court of King’s Bench is the highest court of ordinary justice in criminal cases within the realm, and paramount to the authority of justices of gaol delivery, and commissions of oyer and terminer. It has jurisdiction over all criminal causes, from high treason down to the most trivial misdemeanor or breach of the peace.” 1 Joseph Chitty, A Practical Treatise on the Criminal Law 156 (2d ed. 1826).

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译员张宏，知名法学院法律翻译专业，专注翻译各种与调查与白领犯罪辩护有关的法律文件。