The Circuit Court of the City of Richmond possesses all the powers of other circuit courts except as to those matters the jurisdiction of which has been exclusively invested in the Chancery or the Hustings Court.  It shall also have jurisdiction of all such suits, motions, prosecutions, and matters and things as are specially cognizable by it, in which the Commonwealth, represented by certain public officers or public boards, is a party.

The Circuit Court of the City of Richmond has the same power as other circuit courts except in matters the jurisdiction of which belongs exclusively to the Hustings Court, and the Chancery Court of the City of Richmond—­that is, belongs to them and to no other court. (For explanation as to these matters, see under Hustings Court and under Chancery Court.)

A suit or lawsuit is an action or proceeding—­in a court of law to recover a right, or to obtain justice in a matter under dispute.  A suit at law is sometimes also called a cause.  A motion (in law) is a carrying on of a suit or action in court to obtain some right, or to punish persons who have committed crime.  Cognizable means liable to be taken notice of.  Matters that are cognizable by a court are cases that it is fit and proper for it to hear, try, and decide.

A party to a suit is one of the two opposing persons or sides engaged in it.  In every lawsuit there are at least two parties.  The party or person that brings on the suit or action is called the plaintiff, because he makes a complaint or charge against some one; the party on the other side is called the defendant, because he defends himself against the charge.

Questions.

1.  How many judges constitute the Supreme Court of Appeals?

2.  How long is the term of each judge?

3.  What salaries do they receive?

4.  Do they hold any other office or practice law?

5.  What are their qualifications?

6.  Where are the sessions of the Supreme Court held?

7.  Define judiciary.

8.  Define judicial station.

9.  What is a session of court?

10.  Define jurisdiction.

11.  What is appellate jurisdiction?

12.  What is the principal business of the Supreme Court of Appeals?

13.  What is a lower court?

14.  What is a client?

15.  When and how may an appeal be made from the judgment of the Supreme Court of Appeals?

16.  In what other cases besides appeals has the Supreme Court jurisdiction?

17.  Define habeas corpus, mandamus, prohibition, and writ.

18.  What are the cases in which the Supreme Court has no jurisdiction?

19.  What are costs?

20.  Define title of land, and title deed.

21.  What is meant by probating a will?

22.  What is a will?

23.  What is a personal representative?