definition
strict definition
supreme court
The highest national court of law, with ultimate authority within its country to decide cases and interpret the law.
A supreme court is the highest court of law in any particular country, vested with ultimate authority to decide cases and to interpret the law. It generally accepts cases of special importance that come to it through successive appeals in lower courts.
Only national supreme courts should be classified with this usage; if a sub-national court is named a "supreme court" it should still be classified as a sub-national court.
National authority is decisive. A state or provincial court bearing the same title remains subnational, while a nationally supreme court commonly hears important cases reaching it through appeals.
supreme court Photos
Related definitions
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county courthouse
A general court operated by a county or comparable second-level subdivision below a state or province. -
international courthouse
A court of law with international jurisdiction, usually legitimized by treaties between countries. -
local courthouse
A court of law operated by a municipality, township, or other local government. -
national courthouse
A court of law operated by a national government, not including a supreme court. -
sub-national courthouse
A court of law operated by a state, provincial, or other sub-national government.