petty sessions
petty sessions. Hist. English law. Sessions of justice-of-the-peace court held to try minor misdemeanors summarily (i.e., without a jury).
PETTY SESSIONS
petty sessions
petty sessions 〈英〉小治安法庭 由两名或两名以上但不超过七名治安法官组成的治安法庭，可以定期在小治安法庭区内多处开庭。区别于一般治安法庭〔general sessions〕或季审法庭〔quarter sessions〕。原来由几名治安法官〔justices of the peace〕或一名领薪治安法官〔stipendiary magistrate〕举行的每次开庭即被认为是一次小治安法庭的开庭，现在则指治安法院〔magistrates’ court〕的开庭。