Hierarchy Of The Courts

Question 1

Supreme Court

Answer 1

A.K.A. House of Lords (before 2009)

Bound by: No one (Practice Statement 1966)

Question 2

Privy Council

Answer 2

Highest appeal court in the Common Wealth
Some Judges from the Supreme Court
Therefore - this court is persuasive (choice to follow, not a ‘must’)

Question 3

Court of Appeal (CoA)

Answer 3

2 divisions - Civil and Criminal

Bound by: Supreme Court and Themselves (in most cases)

Question 4

Criminal/Civil divisions…

Answer 4

…do NOT bind each other

Question 5

Civil division

Answer 5

Divisional Courts (Chancery/Family) ->
High Court ->
County Court

Question 6

Criminal division

Answer 6

Divisional Court (Queen’s Bench Divisional - QBD) ->
Crown Court
Magistrates Court

Question 7

Divisional Courts

Answer 7

Both Criminal (QBD) and Civil (Chancery/Family)
Bound by: Supreme Court, CoA and themselves

Question 8

High Court

Answer 8

Civil Division
Bound by: all higher courts
NOT THEMSELVES

Question 9

County Court

Answer 9

Civil Division
Bound by: All higher Courts
NOT THEMSELVES

Question 10

Crown Court

Answer 10

Criminal Division
Bound by: All higher Courts
NOT THEMSELVES

Question 11

Magistrates Court

Answer 11

Criminal Division
Bound by: All higher Courts
NOT THEMSELVES