Court Structure

Question 1

Sub-divisions of County Court + Requirements

Answer 1

Small Claims Track
- Not more than £10k (£1k in PI cases)

Fast Track
- Not more than £25k (£10k in PI cases)

Multi-Track
- More than £25k
- Cases that are too complex for fast track

Question 2

High Court Requirements

Answer 2

Civil court of first instance for complex cases involving more than £100k (£50k in PI cases)

Question 3

High Court Divisions

Answer 3

King’s Bench Division
- Administrative Court within this div

Chancery Division

Family Division

Question 4

Which court hears summary offenses?

Answer 4

Magistrates’ Court

Question 5

Which court hears indictable offenses?

Answer 5

Crown Court

Question 6

Which court hear’s “either way” offenses?

Answer 6

Magistrates’ Court, ONLY IF:
- D agrees to be tried without a jury, AND
- Magistrates’ Court accepts jxd

If not, transferred to Crown Court

Question 7

What is the maximum sentence that a Magistrates’ Court can impose?

Answer 7

6 months (or less if specified by statute)