Queen's Bench Definition and Legal Meaning

On this page, you'll find the legal definition and meaning of Queen's Bench, written in plain English, along with examples of how it is used.

What is Queen's Bench?

(n) The term ‘Queens bench’ is used to represent the highest judicial authority in Great Brittan to implying the deriving of the authority from the head of the nation ‘The queen’ itself.

History and Meaning of Queen's Bench

The Queen's Bench is a court in Great Britain that has been in existence since the Middle Ages. Originally, it served as a tribunal for cases related to the king's affairs, but over time, it evolved into a court of general jurisdiction. It is now known as the High Court of Justice, and it is made up of three divisions - the Queen’s Bench Division, the Chancery Division, and the Family Division. The Queen’s Bench Division deals with civil cases and some criminal matters, and is often the forum for high-profile cases that have a significant public interest.

Examples of Queen's Bench

  1. The Queen's Bench was used in the trial of Charles I in 1649, which ultimately led to his execution.
  2. In 2017, the Queen's Bench Division heard a case brought by a group of Uber drivers who argued that they should be classified as employees rather than independent contractors.
  3. The Queen's Bench recently heard a case brought by a group of climate activists who were charged with obstructing public highways during protests in London.

Legal Terms Similar to Queen's Bench

  1. High Court of Justice - the overall court of general jurisdiction in Great Britain of which the Queen's Bench is a part.
  2. Chancery Division - one of the three divisions of the High Court of Justice that specializes in equity law.
  3. Family Division - another division of the High Court of Justice that deals with family law matters.