Queen’s Bench

Concept of Queen’s Bench

Traditional meaning of queen’s bench [1] in the English common law history: Queen’s counsel: a barrister called within the bar, appointed by letters patent to be her Majesty’s counsel learned in the law, who has precedence over others, of the outer bar, cannot plead against the Crown without a license, and may wear a silk gown. Queen’s evidence, State’s evidence: evidence given by an accomplice, in capital cases, in the hope of pardon. The admission of Queen’s evidence required the sanction, in England, of the justices of gaol delivery’; and, if unsatisfactory, the witness was hanged, like the rest; APPROVER. [rtbs name=”history-of-english-law”]

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Notes and References

1. Based on A concise law dictionary of words, phrases and maxims, “Queen’s Bench”, Boston: Little, Brown, and Company, 1911, United States. This term and/or definition may be absolete. It is also called the Stimson’s Law dictionary, based on a glossary of terms, included Queen’s Bench.

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