Judges Flashcards
County Court - Judges
District Judge (County Court), Recorders, or Circuit Judges for complex cases
They hear all types of civil claims on all three tracks (Small Claims, Fast, Multi) but lower value/complexity. Sort pre-trial matters in case management, set timetable
They sit alone in court (not on a panel) and will hear evidence and arguments, decide on liability, then award compensation or other remedies and costs
High Court - Judges
High Court Judges, Will hear first instance trials for complex or high value Multi Track cases. Will also hear appeals from the County Court
Sit alone, decide liability and award a remedy (same role as above in County)
Will usually specialise in one specific division and become an expert in it
Court of Appeal - Judges
Lord/Lady Justice of Appeal. Will only hear appeal cases which have been given permission to appeal. No evidence or witnesses – just legal arguments.
Sit on a panel (usually of 3), but write up an individual judgement after hearing an appeal to state if appeal was successful or not
Supreme Court - Judges
Supreme Court Justices, sit as a panel of 3, 5, 7, or 9
Only hear appeals on cases of national importance
Will write up individual judgements after hearing an appeal
Magistrate’s Court - Judges
Usually no judges involved, but sometimes a District Judge (Magistrate’s Court) will take the place of the panel of magistrates
They will sit alone and hear trials, deciding the outcome and sentence
Crown Court - Judges
Part time Recorders or Circuit Judges
Hear some triable either way trials and sentencing, and all indictable trials – will advise the jury, decide on admissibility of evidence, decide the law, keep order in the courtroom and pass sentence if a jury finds defendant guilty
Also hears appeals from the Magistrate’s Court on panel with 2 magistrates
What courts are used in civil cases?
County courts, High courts, Court of Appeals and Supreme courts.
What courts are used in criminal cases?
Magistrate courts, Crown court, High court, Court of Appeals and Supreme courts.
District Judge (over 400 in total): INFERIOR
Two types: Magistrate’s Court (summary trials/sentences, minor triable either way trials/sentences, pre-trial matters like bail and legal aid. Will make decision on guilt and set sentences); County Court (Fast Track civil cases under £10,000 in County Court. Will make decision on liability and set award/costs). Will sit alone in both (not on a panel)
Recorder: INFERIOR - Judge
Work part time – 30 days/year (solicitors/barristers for rest of time)
Crown Court – hear trials and pass sentence if jury finds guilty
County Court – make decision on liability and impose a remedy
Circuit Judge (over 600 of these): INFERIOR
County Court – hear cases and decide the law, liability and the remedy
Crown Court – oversee trial by jury, advise jury, decide the law, pass sentence
High Court Judge (73 in QBD, 18 Chancery, 19 Family): SUPERIOR
Specialise in one division, hear first instance trials for high value/complex Multi Track cases (decide law, decide liability, set remedy)
Also hear appeals on points of law on panel of 2-3 judges
Lord/Lady Justice of Appeal (38 total): SUPERIOR
Sit in the Court of Appeal (Criminal or Civil Division) on panel
Give permission to appeal, then decide outcome and write up judgement
Supreme Court Justice (12 in total): SUPERIOR
Sit in the Supreme Court in London – only on cases of public importance
Sit on a panel, individually decide on law and outcome, then write judgment
