quarter sessions
Noun
Meaning
a local court with criminal jurisdiction and sometimes administrative functions
Source: WordNetHypernyms
Examples
Suffolk was originally divided into four separate Quarter Sessions divisions.
The Quarter Sessions met to oversee the administration of the district and deal with legal cases.
To effect this they were empowered to issue their warrant or precept to the Sheriff, commanding him to summon a Grand Jury to sit at the court of Quarter Sessions.