Petty sessions are also known as magistrates' court, justice court, small claims court, or municipal court. The term petty implies that the cases being heard are relatively trivial, such as traffic violations, minor criminal offenses, and civil disputes involving small sums of money. Other synonyms for petty sessions depend on the country and its legal system. In Australia, it is known as a local court, while in Canada, it is referred to as a provincial court. The United States refers to it as a district court or county court, while in the United Kingdom, it is also called a police court. Regardless of the name, petty sessions serve a crucial role in the legal system by providing immediate resolution to minor legal issues.