small debt court
(also small debts court)
noun
A court which provides summary jurisdiction on debts of limited amount.
- Notable examples (among others) were the Justice of the Peace Small Debt Court (established in 1799 and abolished in 1975) and the Sheriff's Small Debt Court (established in 1826 and abolished in 1976), formerly held in Scotland. Small debts courts in England were superseded by county courts under the County Courts Act of 1846..
Origin
Early 19th century; earliest use found in The Caledonian Mercury.