Diplock court

English

Etymology

From Diplock +‎ court. Named after British law lord Kenneth Diplock, Baron Diplock, who suggested using bench trial to address perverse verdicts and jury intimidation during jury trials in the heat of The Troubles.

Noun

Diplock court (plural Diplock courts)

1. (Northern Ireland) a type of criminal court established in Northern Ireland during The Troubles for bench trial of certain serious offences like murder, arson and riot.

Usage notes

Technically abolished with the passage of the Justice and Security (Northern Ireland) Act 2007 (c. 6), but as the Act still authorizes the Director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland to certify bench trials (although not automatically in the days of The Troubles), such courts are still frequently referred as "Diplock courts".