Council Learned in the Law

The Council Learned in the Law was a specialized court managerial body within the English legal system during the late Middle Ages. Its primary role was to enforce the King's financial interests, particularly related to customs and revenue collection. It operated with authority over merchants and shipping companies, ensuring compliance with trade laws and customs duties. While it was not a court in the traditional sense, it was a powerful administrative unit that could impose penalties or enforce royal policies, often acting in a secretive and aggressive manner. Its influence waned as the legal system evolved towards more formalized courts and procedures.