Legal Definitions - Arches Court of Canterbury

The Arches Court of Canterbury is an ecclesiastical court in the province of Canterbury. It is responsible for hearing appeals from provincial diocesan courts. The court is also known as the Court of Arches or the Court of the Official Principal.

The court was originally held in the Church of St. Mary-le-Bow, which had a steeple raised on stone pillars formed archwise like bent bows. This is where the court gets its name from.

Before the break with Rome, the Pope heard appeals from the Court of Arches. After the break, the appellate jurisdiction was transferred to the Court of Delegates. Today, the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council hears certain appeals from the Court of Arches.

For example, if someone is unhappy with a decision made by a diocesan court in the province of Canterbury, they can appeal to the Arches Court of Canterbury. The court will then review the case and make a decision on whether the original decision was correct or not.