What does magistrature mean?
A magistrature is the legal authority and jurisdiction exercised by a magistrate, or the collective body of magistrates within a particular system. In British usage, it commonly appears in discussions of local or district courts and their administration. The word can also denote the institution rather than the individual officeholder, as when a reform affects “the magistrature.” It should not be confused with “magistrate,” which names the judicial officer, or “magistracy,” which more directly emphasizes the office and power of a magistrate. Although the term sounds remote from everyday speech, it remains useful in legal and historical writing because it distinguishes the authority of a magistrate from the magistrate as a person.
nounThe office, authority, or jurisdiction of a magistrate or of the body of magistrates in a legal system. It may also refer collectively to the magistrates who exercise such authority.
- The office, authority, or jurisdiction of a magistrate.
- The magistrates of a particular jurisdiction viewed collectively.
"The case was referred to the local magistrature for an initial hearing."
"The defence challenged the jurisdiction of the magistrature."
"A reform of the magistrature changed how preliminary hearings were conducted."
The plural is used when referring to separate magistrate offices or jurisdictions, or collectively to bodies of magistrates in different places.
"The report compared the magistratures of several provincial courts."
A magistrature is not a person but the institutional power behind one: the office and authority of a magistrate.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does magistrature come from?
Magistrature entered English through French magistrature, derived from Latin magistratus, meaning “office of a magistrate” or “magisterial position.” The Latin word drew on magister, meaning “master” or “superior,” from the comparative form magis, meaning “greater.” English subsequently developed several related forms, including magistrate, magistracy, and magisterial.
Related word forms
How magistrature is actually used
The term is formal and chiefly used in legal, historical, and institutional contexts. It is less common in everyday English than “magistrate” and “magistracy.”
Easily confused with magistrature
A magistrate is a judicial officer, whereas a magistrature is the office, authority, or body of magistrates.
Magistracy usually refers more specifically to the office or power of a magistrate, while magistrature can also denote the institution or collective body of magistrates.