territorial court

noun

1. a court established in U.S. territories that is empowered to hear local and federal cases.

Word History and Origins

Origin of territorial court¹

First recorded in 1855–60

Example Sentences

The couple, Rodney and Ekaterina Baker of Vancouver, British Columbia, appeared virtually in Yukon Territorial Court and pleaded guilty to charges under the territory’s Civil Emergency Measures Act, which was enacted during the pandemic and required people to isolate themselves for 14 days after entering Yukon, records show.

From Seattle Times

The first territorial court in Washington county was held Aug. 13, 1849, Judge Aaron Goodrich, presiding; Judge David Cooper, associate.

From Project Gutenberg

This case is currently in a territorial court in the U.S.

From Reuters

To the general reader, it may be well to state that the Territorial Court had all the jurisdiction of the District and Circuit Courts of the United States, and such jurisdiction constituted what was called, the Federal side of the Court.

From Project Gutenberg

Morrow is the chief and only judge of the territorial court of Canada's Northwest Territories.

From Time Magazine Archive