Court System Flashcards
What are the main civil courts in England and Wales? Explain their jurisdiction.
Answer: The main civil courts in England and Wales are the County Court and High Court. These courts have jurisdiction to hear civil claims and appeals. The County Court is generally used for less complex and lower value claims, while the High Court deals with more complex and higher value claims. Claims cannot be commenced in the High Court unless their value is more than £100,000 (£50,000 or more in the case of personal injury claims).
What is the difference between the County Court and the High Court?
Answer: The County Court and the High Court are both civil courts, but the High Court deals with more complex and higher value claims. Claims can be started in either court, but the value and complexity of the claim will determine which court is most appropriate. The County Court is generally used for less complex and lower value claims, while the High Court deals with more complex and higher value claims.
What is the Court of Appeal? Explain its role.
Answer: The Court of Appeal is a higher court that hears appeals from lower courts. It consists of a Civil Division and a Criminal Division, which between them hear appeals in a wide range of cases covering civil, family, and criminal justice. In some cases, a further appeal lies, with permission, to the Supreme Court, but in practice, the Court of Appeal is the final court of appeal for the great majority of cases.
What is the jurisdiction of the High Court?
Answer: The High Court has jurisdiction to hear civil claims and appeals. It deals with more complex and higher value claims. The High Court is divided into three divisions – Queen’s Bench, Chancery, and Family – and specialist courts / lists within these divisions. The High Court has jurisdiction to hear cases that involve a financial value of the claim or amount in dispute, complexity of facts/legal issues/remedies/procedures, or importance to the public.
Who are the judges in the County Court and the High Court? How should they be addressed?
Answer: In the County Court, the judges are Deputy District Judges, District Judges, Recorders, or Circuit Judges. In the High Court, the judges are High Court Masters or High Court Judges. Judges in the County Court should be addressed as “Judge,” while judges in the High Court should be addressed as “My Lord” or “My Lady.”
