a tribunal with jurisdiction over cases at law, the term applies to courts that administer justice according to federal or state law or common law, as distinguished from courts that follow the principles of equity and are called chancery courts. Law courts and equity courts, however, are generally no longer distinguished, and a court of law is any tribunal administering the law. Source: Barron's Dictionary of Legal Terms, Steven H. Gifis, 5th Edition; © 2016