The organisation of the UK judiciary

Question 1

What does judiciary mean?

Answer 1

Collective noun referring to all UK judges, from the lay magistrates to the law lords.

Question 2

List the order of the courts

Answer 2

• House of lords (a new UK Supreme Court from October 2009)
• Court of appeal (Criminal and Civil divisions)
• High court
• Crown Court and county courts (Magistrates’ courts and tribunals

Question 3

All levels

Answer 3

Judges are involved in ensuring that justice is done and the law is properly applied.

Question 4

Lower levels

Answer 4

the main role of the judges is to preside over trials, give guidance to the jury and impose sentences.

Question 5

High court level

Answer 5

Judges hear more serious cases and can also hear cases on appeal

Question 6

Court of appeal level and above

Answer 6

judges are concerned with clarifying the meaning of law3, rather than just applying it. … these courts can set precedent.
The court of appeal also deals with major case arising from the Human Rights Act 1998

Question 7

the law lords

Answer 7

hear cases on appeal from the Appeals Court.