head court
/ˌhɛd ˈkɔːt/Scottish. Now historical
noun
A chief court (of justice); specifically a court or meeting of the freeholders of a county, traditionally held three times a year and later held annually at Michaelmas.
- Following an act of 1681 and Act 16 Geo. II, c. 11 (1742) this court was used as a court for the registration of county voters. It ceased to have this function after the Reform Act of 1832..
Origin
Late Middle English. From head + court.