England & Wales
Supreme Court of the United Kingdom
The highest domestic court of appeal in most cases since 1 October 2009, the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom was created by the Constitutional Reform Act 2005, effectively replacing the House of Lords as the highest court. It is a court of appeal in civil and criminal cases referred from the English courts. It also rules on devolution issues (formerly the Privy Council performed this function).
Click here to link to a list of the Supreme Court Judges.
Privy Council
The Privy Council is a body of advisors to the monarch made up mostly of senior politicians, being current or retired or are members of the House of Commons or House of Lords. The Judicial Committee of the Privy Council is the highest court of appeal for colonies, certain Commonwealth countries, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man. Its judges also belong to the Supreme Court.
Superior Courts (formerly the Supreme Courts)
Court of Appeal
The Court of Appeal has an exclusively appelate jurisdiction, hearing appeals from lower courts and tribunals. There are two divisions, i.e. the Civil Division which hears appeals from the High Court, the County Court and certain superior tribunals, and the Criminal Division, which hears appeals from the Crown Court. Its decisions are binding on all courts other than the Supreme Court.
High Court of Justice
The High Court of Justice is a civil court of first instance as well as a criminal court of appeal. There are three divisions, i.e. the Queen's Bench Division, the Chancery Division and the Family Division.
Crown Court
The Crown Court is a criminal court of first instance and appeal and also hears some civil cases at first instance and on appeal. Established in 1971, it replaced the Assizes (Circuit High Court), and the Quarter Sessions (part time county courts). It is the sole court with jurisdiction to try indictments (serious crimes) at first instance. The Old Bailey, or "Central Criminal Court", is a Crown Court, famous for its Lady Justice statue as shown below.
Lower Courts
Magistrates Court
The Magistrates' Court is a form of local court presided over by a bench of lay magistrates (otherwise known as justices of the peace) or a legally qualified district judge (stipendiary magistrate). There is no jury, and the court only tries minor criminal offences and processes certain licensing applications.
County Court
The County Court is a form of local court with exclusively civil jurisdiction, which is presided over by a District Judge or by a Circuit Judge who usually hears cases alone without a jury. Examples of county court cases include debt actions, divorces and adoptions.
