Court Heirarchy Flashcards
Court Hierarchy
System of courts arranged in order of importance. Significant in relation to appeals and the doctrine of judicial precedent
Uk Supreme Court
Most senior court. Binding on all other courts. Not binding on itself
Magistrates court
Court of trial for all summary offences and some either way offences. May also deal with some civil matters such as council tax payments
Crown court
Court of trial for all indictable only offences and some either way offences. Hears appeals from magistrates court. Can order punishment up to and including life imprisonments
County court
Heras civil cases. Deals with disputes involving debts contracts personal injuries. Remedy tend to be damages and equitable
High court
Hears civil cases. Operates in London and district registries around the uk. Has 3 divisions. Court of first instance- Court of appeal and specialist court
Family court
Deals with cases involving family breakdown, divorce, children.
Small claims track
Civil claims with a value of 10k or less. 1k or less in personal injury claims
Fast track
Civil cases more than 10K. More than 1k for personal injuries. Not exceeding 25k
Multi track
Civil cases for more than 25k
Appeal
Application to higher court about Decision made by lower court
Criminal division of court of appeal
One division of th court of appeal which hears appeals from crown court
Civil division of the court of appeal
One division of the court of appeals which hears appeals from the high court the county court the family court and certain tribunal
Summary offences
Offences that can only b tried in magistrates court
Either way offences
Intermediate level offences eg theft. Case initially heard in magistrates court before a decision is made whether it should be tried in magistrates or crown court
