Brewer's: Parlement

(French). A crown court, where, in the old régime, councillors were allowed to plead, and where justice was administered in the king's name. The Paris Parlement received appeals from all inferior tribunals, but its own judgments were final. It took cognisance of all offences against the crown, the peers, the bishops, the corporations, and all high officers of state; and, though it had no legislative power, had to register the royal edicts before they could become law. Abolished by the Constituent Assembly in 1790.

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