In American law . Though this term is frequently used as a general designation of any court exercising general, original jurisdiction in civil cases, (being used interchangeably with “trial-court,”) it belonged as a legal title only to a court which formerly existed in the city and county of Philadelphia, and which was presided over by one of the judges of the supreme court of Pennsylvania. This court was abolished by the constitution of 1874. See COUBTS OF ASSIZE AND NISI PBIUS.
Black’s Law Online Dictionary
