an English court. It comprises a Civil Division and a Criminal Division and hears most appeals in England. It is a central court, and cases come from all over the country. The Master of the Rolls heads up the Civil Division; the Lord Chief Justice the Criminal Division. Its influence in civil matters is so significant that Lord Denning left the House of Lords to become Master of the Rolls. Its importance lies in the fact that unless the House of Lords itself grants leave, there is no appeal beyond the Court of Appeal without leave of that court itself.
In civil courts it receives appeals from the High Court (all divisions) and from the County Court. In criminal cases appeals lie primarily for the Crown Court.
Collins dictionary of law. W. J. Stewart. 2001.