Middle Ages The royal court originated within the
Curia Regis, which began during the
twelfth and thirteenth centuries during the reign of
Henry Plantagenet. Henry II made writs available for purchase by private individuals seeking justice, thus initiating a vast expansion of writs within the
common law. The increased demand of judicial maters before the
Curia Regis in the twelfth century led to the establishment of two central courts: the
Court of King's Bench and the
Court of Common Pleas. These courts became the superior courts to all other courts in England, including local and tribunal courts such as the
Hundred Courts and
Court of Piepowders. • '''The Court of King's Bench''' heard all complaints and pleas addressed to the King. This court was also known as the Court of Queen's Bench during the reign of a female monarch. Members of this court included the King and his closest advisors. This court always travelled with the King as he travelled throughout England and into other countries. When the Lord Chancellor issued the writ to the court of King's Bench, the original full name of the writ was
quae coram nobis resident or "Let the record remain before us". The words "let the record remain" indicate the court record of the original case remained with the court of King's Bench, unlike a writ of error, where the record moved to a different court. The words "
coram nobis" referred to the role of the King who served on the King's Bench. The King's place on the court of King's Bench became increasingly irregular; and by 1421, the King's Bench became a fixed court rather than one that followed the King. Although the King's presence was theoretical, the Lord Chancellor and his office continued to issue writs as if the King continued to as part of this court. •
The Court of Common Pleas was authorized by
Magna Carta to sit in a central, fixed location. This court heard complaints and pleas that did not require the King's presence. When the Lord Chancellor issued the writ to the court of Common Pleas, the original full name was
quae coram vobis resident, or "Let the record remain before you". These words indicate that the records of the original case remained with the judges of the Court of Common Pleas so that it may review a case it previously decided to determine if an error of fact occurred.
Henry VIII •
Court of Augmentations •
Court of First Fruits and Tenths •
Court of General Surveyors •
Court of Wards and Liveries Conciliar courts Conciliar courts included the
Court of Star Chamber and the
Court of Requests.
Regional conciliar courts These included the
Council in the North Parts and the
Council in the Principality and Marches of Wales.
Eyres Superior courts at Westminster Although the words "Superior Courts of Law at Westminster", in the preamble of the
Uniformity of Process Act 1832 were, it was conceived by Palmer, sufficient to comprehend the law side of the Court of Chancery or
Petty Bag Office, that Court being undoubtedly one of His Majesty's superior Courts at Westminster, yet it was evident, from section 12, as well as other parts of the statute, that the three courts of King's Bench, Common Pleas, and Exchequer, were those which were alone meant by it. Wharton and Granger refer to "the three superior courts at Westminster". Section 2 of the
Evidence Act 1845 refers to "any of the equity or common law judges of the superior courts at Westminster". The effect of section 151(5) of, and paragraph 1(1) of Schedule 4 to, the
Senior Courts Act 1981 and sections 18(2) and 26(2) of the
Supreme Court of Judicature (Consolidation) Act 1925, is that the expression "any of the equity or common law judges of the superior courts at Westminster" must be construed and have effect as a reference to judges of the Court of Appeal and High Court. The superior courts of law at Westminster had a common jurisdiction over certain actions and proceedings. The Court of King's Bench, Court of Common Pleas, Court of Exchequer and Court of Chancery sat at
Westminster Hall.
Supreme Court of Judicature Act 1873 Transfer of jurisdiction to the High Court The jurisdiction of the following courts was transferred to the
High Court of Justice by section 16 of the
Supreme Court of Judicature Act 1873: • The
High Court of Chancery, as a Common Law Court as well as a
Court of Equity, including the jurisdiction of the Master of the Rolls, as a Judge or Master of the Court of Chancery, and any jurisdiction exercised by him in relation to the Court of Chancery as a Common Law Court • The
Court of Queen's Bench • The
Court of Common Pleas at Westminster • The
Court of Exchequer, as a Court of Revenue, as well as a Common Law Court • The
High Court of Admiralty • The
Court of Probate • The
Court for Divorce and Matrimonial Causes • The
Court of Common Pleas at Lancaster • The
Court of Pleas at Durham • The Courts created by Commissions of Assize, of Oyer and Terminer, and of Gaol Delivery, or any of such Commissions The jurisdiction of the
London Bankruptcy Court was transferred to the High Court by section 93 of the
Bankruptcy Act 1883. The following courts were merged into the High Court by section 41 of the
Courts Act 1971: • The
Court of Chancery of the County Palatine of Lancaster • The
Court of Chancery of the County Palatine of Durham and Sadberge Appellate courts The jurisdictions of the following, amongst others, were transferred to the
Court of Appeal: • The
Court of Exchequer Chamber • The
Court of Appeal in Chancery • The
Court of Appeal in Chancery of the County Palatine of Lancaster • The
Lord Warden of the Stannaries There was formerly a
Court for Crown Cases Reserved. The
House of Lords was formerly an appellate court. ==Courts of criminal jurisdiction==