Aula Regis, Or Regia

Aula Regis, or Regia, a Court established by William the Conqueror in his own hall; it was composed of the great officers of state resident in the palace, and followed the king's household in all his expeditions. The trial of common causes in it was, on this account, very burdensome to the people, and accordingly the 11th chapter of Magna Charta thus enacted:-'communia placita non sequantur curiam nostram sed teneantur in aliquo loco certo.' This 'certain place' was established in Westminster Hall, where until the Judicature Act it continued under the name of the Court of Common Pleas, or Common Bench, Brac. L. 3, tr. 1, c. 7. See ROYAL COURTS OF JUSTICE.