A judicial body that adjudicates legal disputes in accordance with the law. Courts are typically established and dissolved through legislation passed by legislatures or equivalent constituting instruments, and the practical authority given to them is called jurisdiction (from Latin iurisdictio, meaning “decision of the law”). There are many types of courts, including trial courts, appeals courts, administrative courts, and international courts.
Court rules are the enforceable law that governs the procedures of a particular court. These laws may cover any number of topics, such as the room where a case is heard and its facilities, the duties of parties involved in the case, and how the judge will rule on the matter. Court rules must be approved by a court’s highest authority, which is often referred to as the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts or the Appeals Court.
The vast majority of cases—over 95% in the United States—are handled by state courts. They handle matters such as traffic offenses, divorce, wills and estates, and buying or selling property. State courts also enforce laws related to civil rights, such as the protection of minorities from majorities, and the equal treatment of people in various circumstances.
Courts provide an important service to society. They settle disputes between individuals and between individuals and the government, help keep public peace, and provide a system of justice that is accessible to all. Nevertheless, they do not come with any inherent legitimacy, and their decisions have sometimes been ignored or violently opposed. In the most extreme cases, unpopular court rulings have caused riots (Bulgaria), been burned down or destroyed (Pakistan), and even led to judges being assassinated or imprisoned (Uganda).
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