Court of Pie Powder Law and Legal Definition
Court of pie powder is also known as Pie Poudre Courts. This is a special court that sat in times of public markets or fairs in England in medieval times. This Court had exclusive jurisdiction over disputes between merchants and consumers and any other dispute arising as a result of the market or fair and on fair grounds. The term pie powder came from the French word for a pedlar, pied puldreaux, which referred to any alien merchant. It was a very summary court of justice and was intended to arrange difficulties between parties who came from far away places to attend the fair, and their occupation required that immediate jurisdiction should be had in all cases. Therefore, it was normal for the transgressors to be arrested, the cause tried, and judgment given within one hour.
