justiciary (j[schwa]-stish-ee-er-ee), n.
1. A justice or judge.
2. Hist. The chief administrator of both government and justice. • From the time of the Norman Conquest in 1066 until the reign of Henry III (1216–1272), the justiciary presided in the King’s Court and in the Exchequer, supervising all governmental departments and serving as regent in the king’s absence. These functions were later divided among several officials such as the lord chancellor, the chief justice, and the lord high treasurer.
— Also termed justiciar; chief justiciar; capitalis justiciarius.
3. Scots law. The administration of justice, esp. of criminal law.
