小しょう法ほう廷てい

noun

petty bench; small bench

In the Japanese Supreme Court, a division of justices (usually five) that hears cases, as opposed to the Grand Bench (大法廷). Also used for small claims courts in some contexts.

• 最さい高こう裁さい判ばん所しょの小しょう法ほう廷ていは、5人にんの裁さい判ばん官かんで構こう成せいされる。

  A petty bench of the Supreme Court consists of five justices.

• この事じ件けんは小しょう法ほう廷ていで審しん理りされた。

  This case was heard by a petty bench.