Parlements were sovereign courts in France during the Ancien Régime, primarily responsible for registering royal edicts and laws. They also had the authority to interpret these laws and could challenge the king's decisions, making them significant in the governance of the country. The most famous of these was the Parlement of Paris, which played a crucial role in the political landscape of France. These institutions were composed of judges known as magistrates, who were often from the nobility. Parlements could influence public opinion and were involved in various legal matters, including civil and criminal cases. Their power diminished after the French Revolution, leading to the establishment of a new legal system.