A court is any person or institution, often as a government institution, with the authority to adjudicate legal disputes between parties and carry out the administration of justice in civil, criminal, and administrative matters in accordance with the rule of law. In both common law and civil law legal systems, courts are the central means for dispute resolution, and it is generally understood that all people have an ability to bring their claims before a court. Similarly, the rights of those accused of a crime include the right to present a defense before a court.
The system of courts that interprets and applies the law is collectively known as the judiciary. The place where a court sits is known as a venue. The room where court proceedings occur is known as a courtroom, and the building as a courthouse; court facilities range from simple and very small facilities in rural communities to large complex facilities in urban communities.
The practical authority given to the court is known as its jurisdiction (from Latin iūrisdictiō, from iūris, "of the law," + dīcō, "to declare," + -tiō, noun-forming suffix), the court's power to decide certain kinds of questions or petitions put to it. According to William Blackstone's Commentaries on the Laws of England, a court (for civil wrongs) is constituted by a minimum of three parties: the āctor or plaintiff, who complains of an injury done; the reus or defendant, who is called upon to make satisfaction for it; and the jūdex or judicial power, who is to examine the truth of the fact, determine the law arising upon that fact, and, if any injury appears to have been done, ascertain and by its officers apply a legal remedy. It is also usual in the superior courts to have barristers, and attorneys or counsel, as assistants, though, often, courts consist of additional barristers, bailiffs, reporters, and perhaps a jury.
The term "the court" is also used to refer to the presiding officer or officials, usually one or more judges. The judge or panel of judges may also be collectively referred to as "the bench" (in contrast to attorneys and barristers, collectively referred to as "the bar").In the United States, the legal authority of a court to take action is based on personal jurisdiction over the parties to the litigation and subject-matter jurisdiction over the claims asserted.
Davao court has issued a warrant of arrest against Kingdom of Jesus Christ leader Apollo Quiboloy and five others over charges of child abuse.
In a 2-page order, the court said reasonable time has lapsed and it has not yet received a resolution on the motion for reconsideration filed by...
The Dasmariñas City Municipal Trial Court has convicted a man who stabbed to death a dog out of spite for its owner.
Based on the certification issued by the court to the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS), Froilan dela Cruz has been found guilty of violating Article 280 of the Revised...
The Supreme Court issued a writ of kalikasan against government agencies and the mining firm involved in the controversial mining operations on Sibuyan Island.
A writ of kalikasan refers to a legal remedy for the protection of one’s right to “a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the...
A Muntinlupa court has ordered the arrest of former Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) chief Gerald Bantag in connection with the death of Jun Villamor, the alleged middleman in the killing of broadcaster Percy Lapid.
Also ordered arrested by the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court Branch 206 is former...
THE HAGUE, Netherlands — The International Criminal Court on Friday announced an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin on the war crime accusation of unlawfully deporting Ukrainian children.
The Hague-based ICC said it had also issued a warrant against Maria Lvova-Belova, Russia's...
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MANILA, Philippines – A Quezon City court on Tuesday, December 13, ruled to convict Baguio City journalist and Rappler contributor Frank Cimatu of cyber libel over a Facebook post he made five years ago.
The Quezon City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 93 set the jail time for...