Question

Chancery courts were founded on the proposition that children were under the protective control of the king, or _________________, which is the Latin phrase that refers to the role of the king as father of his country.

Answer 1

Answer:

The correct answer is ‘parens patriae’

Explanation:

‘Parens patriae’, which literally means ‘the parent of the country’ refers to the idea that the state is guardian or a protector of individuals that have limited legal capacity, for example, children. In this way, the state should act in the best interest of a child.

In England, the court of chancery first introduced this idea to the legal system. Such courts took care of cases that involved juvenile offenders. Back then  monarch was considered the parent of the country, while in modern days the state itself.