term:

Star Chamber

star chamber n

1 cap S&C
: an old English court abolished in 1641 that exercised wide civil and criminal jurisdiction under rules of procedure suited to the prerogatives of the king and that was marked by secrecy, the absence of juries, self-incrimination, and an inquisitorial as opposed to accusatorial system of justice
2 : a tribunal or proceeding resembling the Star Chamber esp. in being secretive or arbitrary