The Court of Arches is a term frequently mentioned in legal and ecclesiastical circles, but its spelling can be confusing for people encountering it for the first time. The word "court" is pronounced with the /k/ sound at the beginning, followed by the /aw/ diphthong, and a /rt/ combination. The second word, "arches", is pronounced with a silent "h" and the /ar/ sound, followed by the /ch/ sound. Putting it all together, the correct pronunciation is /kɔːt əv ɑːtʃɪz/. It is the highest appeal court for the province of Canterbury in the Church of England.
The Court of Arches can be defined as a superior ecclesiastical court within the Church of England, which acts as a court of appeal for cases related to ecclesiastical law. The term "arches" refers to the Archbishop of Canterbury's peculiar jurisdiction, as this court operates directly under the authority of the Archbishop.
This court has historically been responsible for handling a variety of cases, including matters of marriage, wills, testamentary causes, defamation, and disputes between clergy members. It holds a prominent position within the English legal system, as it deals with matters of great importance to the functioning of the Church.
The Court of Arches comprises a panel of judges known as the "official principal," under whose leadership the court operates. The panel consists of legal experts in ecclesiastical law, including clerics and laypeople. The decisions made by the Court of Arches are often considered to be legally binding and set precedents for future cases.
Being the highest ecclesiastical court of appeal, the Court of Arches has considerable influence on canon law interpretation and the resolution of disputes within the Church of England. It ensures a fair and just legal process and maintains discipline within the clergy.
A very anc. court belonging to the Archbishop of Canterbury for deciding ecclesiastical matters, so called from the Church of St Mary le bow, or "de arcubus".
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.