from
Bouvier's Law Dictionary, Revised 6th Ed (1856)
COURT CHRISTIAN. An ecclesiastical judicature, known in England, so called
from its handling matters of an ecclesiastical or religious nature. 2 Inst.
488. Formerly the jurisdiction of these courts was not thus limited. The
emperor Theodosius promulgated a law that all suits (lites) and forensic
controversies should be remitted to the judgment of the church, if either of
the litigating parties should require it. Fr. Duaren De Sac. Minist. Eccl.
lib. 1, c. 2. This law was renewed and confirmed by Charlemagne.