What is the meaning of audiencia?

The audiencia was the highest part of local government in major cities of the Spanish Empire. Its panel of judges was responsible for certain legal, political, and commercial matters.

What was the role of the audiencia in the Americas?

The role of the audiencia in the Americas was to act as a court of appeal in civil and criminal legal cases, to pass legislation relevant to its jurisdiction, and to control the tributes and forced labour quotas extracted from indigenous peoples.

What is the difference between the audiencias in medieval Spain and in the Spanish colonies?

The main difference between the medieval and colonial versions of the audiencias was that the former only had a judicial capacity, whereas the latter had much wider legal, political, and commercial powers.

Audiencia Timeline

Definition

An audiencia began as a judicial institution in medieval Spain, but in the 16th century, it was applied as the highest form of local government in key cities of the Spanish Empire. An audiencia had a panel of judges made responsible for the political administration of a city and certain criminal and civil legal matters concerning both settlers and indigenous peoples.

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