judicature

ju·di·ca·ture  (jd-k-chr)

n.

1. Administration of justice.

2. The position, function, or authority of a judge.

3. The jurisdiction of a law court or judge.

4. A court or system of courts of law.

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[Medieval Latin idictra, from feminine future participle of Latin idicre, to judge; see judge.]

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Judicature a body of judges, 1593; the judges of a country collectively; legal tribunal collectively.

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	judicature - an assembly (including one or more judges) to conduct judicial business court, tribunal court of justice, court of law, lawcourt, court - a tribunal that is presided over by a magistrate or by one or more judges who administer justice according to the laws assembly - a group of persons who are gathered together for a common purpose International Court of Justice, World Court - a court established to settle disputes between members of the United Nations Bench - the magistrate or judge or judges sitting in court in judicial capacity to compose the court collectively appeals court, appellate court, court of appeals - a court whose jurisdiction is to review decisions of lower courts or agencies assizes, court of assize, court of assize and nisi prius - the county courts of England (replaced in 1971 by Crown courts) chancery, court of chancery - a court with jurisdiction in equity consistory - a church tribunal or governing body criminal court - a court having jurisdiction over criminal cases divorce court - a court having jurisdiction over the termination of marriage contracts court of domestic relations, domestic relations court, family court - a court in some states in the United States that has jurisdiction over family disputes (especially those involving children) federal court - a court establish by the authority of a federal government F.I.S.C., Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court - a secret federal court created in 1978 by the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act; responsible for authorizing wiretaps and other forms of electronic surveillance and for authorizing searches of suspected spies and terrorists by the Department of Justice or United States intelligence agencies inferior court, lower court - any court whose decisions can be appealed to a higher court Inquisition - a former tribunal of the Roman Catholic Church (1232-1820) created to discover and suppress heresy juvenile court - a court having jurisdiction over dependent and delinquent children kangaroo court - an irregular unauthorized court military court - a judicial court of commissioned officers for the discipline and punishment of military personnel moot court - a mock court where law students argue hypothetical cases police court - a court that has power to prosecute for minor offenses and to bind over for trial in a superior court anyone accused of serious offenses probate court - a court having jurisdiction over the probate of wills and the administration of estates quarter sessions - a local court with criminal jurisdiction and sometimes administrative functions Rota - (Roman Catholic Church) the supreme ecclesiastical tribunal for cases appealed to the Holy See from diocesan courts Star Chamber - a former English court that became notorious for its arbitrary methods and severe punishments superior court - any court that has jurisdiction above an inferior court high court, state supreme court, supreme court - the highest court in most states of the United States traffic court - a court that has power to prosecute for traffic offenses trial court - the first court before which the facts of a case are decided jury - a body of citizens sworn to give a true verdict according to the evidence presented in a court of law
	2.	judicature - the system of law courts that administer justice and constitute the judicial branch of government judicatory, judicial system, judiciary authorities, government, regime - the organization that is the governing authority of a political unit; "the government reduced taxes"; "the matter was referred to higher authorities" Federal Judiciary - the judiciary of the United States which is responsible for interpreting and enforcing federal laws system, scheme - a group of independent but interrelated elements comprising a unified whole; "a vast system of production and distribution and consumption keep the country going"
	3.	judicature - the act of meting out justice according to the law administration justice - judgment involved in the determination of rights and the assignment of rewards and punishments
	4.	judicature - the position of judge judgeship berth, billet, post, situation, position, office, place, spot - a job in an organization; "he occupied a post in the treasury"