In Southern France, aviguerie(French pronunciation:[viɡʁi];Latin:vicaria) was a mediaeval administrative court. Aviguerieis named for the place it serves or is found in, that is, the main town of the borough, which need not be itschef-lieu(administrative capital).
Appearing during theCarolingian dynasty,thevigueriestarted as the seat of civil and criminal justice, taking its name from theCountorViscount.With the decline of feudal power and its transfer to Royal jurisdiction, thevigueriebecame the lowest court, dealing only with day-to-day affairs. It was administered by aviguier,a judge whose remit varied, over time and space, from that of a judge of aCourt of Assizeto that of a judge of aCourt of Common Pleas.
Viguerieslargely disappeared after 1749, following an edict suppressing the lower courts. Even so, in many regions such asProvence,they survived until theFrench Revolution.InLanguedoc,Rouergueand Carladés, they transformed into the lowestCourts of Appeal.
In other regions similar courts were named for the title of the title or rank of the person who held responsibility for them, such aschâtellenie(administered by achâtelain),prévôté(under aprévôt),vicomté(under aviscount), and abailieorbaillageorsénéchaussée(administered by abaliff).
See also
edit- Magistrate,a minor lawyer in the United Kingdom
- Vicar,one who administers religious law
- Vegueria,in Catalonia
- Ancien Régime in France(sectionJustice)
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