legal-terms legal-history
What is the origin of the term “court” as a reference to the judicial institution?
<p>Does the legal usage of the word court as in a court of law derive from the idea of a royal court, as an expression of the idea that the original courts of law were ultimately simple vehicles for the exercise or discharge of royal authority on behalf of the royal sovereign?</p>
<p>If not, then what is the origin of the use of the word court to denote the judicial institutions that we call courts of law?</p>

<blockquote>
<p>Does the legal usage of the word court as in a court of law derive from the idea of a royal court, as an expression of the idea that the original courts of law were ultimately simple vehicles for the exercise or discharge of royal authority on behalf of the royal sovereign?</p>
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<p><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Court#Etymology" rel="noreferrer">Yes</a>:</p>
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<p>The meaning of a judicial assembly is first attested in the 12th century, and derives from the earlier usage to designate a sovereign and his entourage, which met to adjudicate disputes....</p>
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