Parlement of Paris

The Parlement was the supreme court in France under the ancien régime. It evolved from the King's Court, where early kings convened vassals and prelates for political and feudal matters, and also handled legal cases submitted to the king. By around 1250, judicial sessions became distinct and were referred to as Parlement, hearing appeals and deciding cases concerning royal towns.1

The Parlement of Paris was the most important, though other regional Parlements existed. These courts registered royal decrees, examining them for legality and conformity with the king's interests. If a decree was deemed unsuitable, the Parlement could withhold registration and issue remonstrances to the king. The king could force registration through a lit de justice, a special session where his presence overrode the magistrates' authority.12

The Parlements often opposed royal reforms, particularly those that increased the crown's power. This opposition was partly driven by the members' desire to protect their own privileges, especially after offices became hereditary and purchasable. The Parlement of Paris was eventually abolished during the French Revolution.12