Supreme Court (formerly the House of Lords)



In 2009 the Supreme Court replaced the House of Lords as the highest court in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. As with the House of Lords, the Supreme Court hears appeals from the Court of Appeal and the High Court (only in exceptional circumstances). It also hears appeals from the Inner House of the Court of Session in Scotland. Appeals are normally heard by 5 Justices (formerly Lords of Appeal in Ordinary, or Law Lords), but there can be as many as 9.

Court of Appeal

The Court of Appeal consists of 2 divisions, the Criminal Division and the Civil Decision. Decisions of the Court of Appeal may be appealed to the Supreme Court (formerly the House of Lords).

Civil Division

The Civil Division of the Court of Appeal hears appeals concerning civil law and family justice from the High Court, from Tribunals, and certain cases from the County Courts.

Criminal Division

The Criminal Division of the Court of Appeal hears appeals from the Crown Court.

High Court

The High Court consists of 3 divisions, the Chancery Division, the Family Division, and the Queen’s Bench Division. Decisions of the High Court may be appealed to the Civil Division of the Court of Appeal.

Chancery Division: Companies Court

The Companies Court of the Chancery Division deals with cases concerning commercial fraud, business disputes, insolvency, company management, and disqualification of directors.

Chancery Division: Divisional Court

The Divisional Court of the Chancery Division deals with cases concerning equity, trusts, contentious probate, tax partnerships, bankruptcy and land.

Chancery Division: Patents Court

The Patents Court of the Chancery Division deals with cases concerning intellectual property, copyright, patents and trademarks, including passing off.

Family Division: Divisional Court

The Divisional Court of the Family Division deals with all matrimonial matters, including custody of children, parentage, adoption, family homes, domestic violence, separation, annulment, divorce and medical treatment declarations, and with uncontested probate matters.

Queen’s Bench Division: Administrative Court

The Administrative Court of the Queen’s Bench Division hears judicial reviews, statutory appeals and application, application for habeas corpus, and applications under the Drug Trafficking Act 1984 and the Criminal Justice Act 1988. It also oversees the legality of decisions and actions of inferior courts and tribunals, local authorities, Ministers of the Crown, and other public bodies and officials.

Queen’s Bench Division: Admiralty Court

The Admiralty Court of the Queen’s Bench Division deals with shipping and maritime disputes, including collisions, salvage, carriage of cargo, limitation, and mortgage disputes. The Court can arrest vessels and cargoes and sell them within the jurisdiction of England and Wales.

Queen’s Bench Division: Commercial Court

The Commercial Court of the Queen’s Bench Division deals with cases arising from national and international business disputes, including international trade, banking, commodities, and arbitration disputes.

Queen’s Bench Division: Mercantile Court

The Mercantile Court of the Queen’s Bench Division deals with national and international business disputes that involve claims of lesser value and complexity than those heard by the Commercial Court.

Queen’s Bench Division: Technology and Construction Court

The Technology and Construction Court of the Queen’s Bench Division is a specialist court that deals principally with technology and construction disputes that involve issues or questions which are technically complex, and with cases where a trial by a specialist TCC judge is desirable.

County Courts

The County Courts deal with all except the most complicated and the most simple civil cases (including most matters under the value of £5000), such as claims for repayment of debts, breach of contract involving goods or property, personal injury, family issues (including adoption and divorce), housing issues (including recovery of mortgage and rent arrears, and re-possession), and enforcement of previous County Court judgments. Cases are heard by a judge, without a jury. Decisions of the County Courts may be appealed to the appropriate Division of the High Court.

Crown Court

The Crown Court deals with indictable criminal cases that have been transferred from the Magistrates’ Courts, including hearing of serious criminal cases (such as murder, rape and robbery), cases sent for sentencing, and appeals. Cases are heard by a judge and a jury. Decisions of the Crown Court may be appealed to the Criminal Division of the Court of Appeal.

Magistrates’ Courts

The Magistrates’ Courts deal with summary criminal cases and committals to the Crown Court, with simple civil cases including family proceedings courts and youth courts, and with licensing of betting, gaming and liquor. Cases are normally heard by either a panel of 3 magistrates or by a District Judge, without a jury. Criminal decisions of the Magistrates’ Courts may be appealed to the Crown Court. Civil decisions may be appealed to the County Courts.

Tribunals Service

The Tribunals Service makes decisions on matters including asylum, immigration, criminal injuries compensation, social security, education, employment, child support, pensions, tax and lands. Decisions of the Tribunals Service may be appealed to the appropriate Division of the High Court.

Courts in Scotland


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