1Christian Church. In England: the court of a bishop's commissary, dealing with ecclesiastical matters and offences under ecclesiastical law; a consistory court presided over by a commissary. Now historical, except with reference to the consistory court of the Diocese of Canterbury.

2Scottish Law. Originally: any of a number of local courts established in 1563 after the Reformation, dealing with matters of probate, divorce, etc., which were previously under the jurisdiction of a bishop's commissary or diocesan official. Later: a sheriff or county court appointing and confirming the executors of deceased persons leaving personal property in Scotland.