(in England and Wales, formerly) a criminal court held four times a year before justices of the peace or a recorder, empowered to try all but the most serious offences and to hear appeals from petty sessions. Replaced in 1972 by crown courts
See also crown court, Compare assizes
2.
(in Scotland, formerly) a court held by justices of the peace four times a year, empowered tohear appeals from justice of the peace courts and to deal with some licensing matters: abolished in 1975
quarter sessions in American English
Obsolete
a local court, as in England or the U.S., that sits quarterly; specif., an English local court having civil and criminal jurisdiction, except in cases involving the most serious crimes