Chancery hand refers to a specific style of handwriting that is often used in legal proceedings or formal documents. Synonyms for chancery hand include court hand, legal hand, and secretary hand. These terms all refer to the same writing style, characterized by strong, angular strokes and a formal, precise appearance. Chancery hand was once a very common form of handwriting, but it has largely fallen out of use in modern times. However, it is still an important skill for historians and archivists who work with old legal documents and manuscripts, and some calligraphers still practice the art of chancery hand.