The Court Structure Unit 23, Assignment 1
Lauren Payne The Court Structure Unit 23, Assignment 1
Contents
1 Hierarchy of the civil courts
, The Court Structure Unit 23, Assignment 1
Hierarchy of the civil courts- P1
EUROPEAN COURT OF JUSTICE
SUPREME COURT OF THE UK
COURT OF APPEAL (CIVIL DIVISION)
HIGH COURT
COUNTY COURT FAMILY COURT
MAGISTRATES’ COURT
Magistrates’ court
The Magistrates’ mainly deal with criminal cases (96%), however they do deal with some
civil matters, mainly regarding family matters. They deal with less serious cases such as bills,
unpaid fines/ council tax and parking offences. These cases tend to be tried by two/three
magistrates or a District Judge who sits alone. This court must follow precedent and its
decisions are not binding.
County court
This court trials most civil cases that are less serious. County courts do not set binding
precedents for itself or other courts. This court has three tracks: small claims, fast claims
and multi-claims.
Small claims = less than £10,000 claims
Fast claims = £10,000 - £25,000 claims
Multi-claims = over than £25,000 claims
All county court centres can deal with contract and tort cases and recovery of land actions
(Judiciary UK, 2019).
Family court
This court trials most family cases. Mainly concerned regarding the protection of children
and more vulnerable adults. However, on top of this they do listen to cases regarding
marriage, adoption, custody, domestic violence etc.
Lauren Payne The Court Structure Unit 23, Assignment 1
Contents
1 Hierarchy of the civil courts
, The Court Structure Unit 23, Assignment 1
Hierarchy of the civil courts- P1
EUROPEAN COURT OF JUSTICE
SUPREME COURT OF THE UK
COURT OF APPEAL (CIVIL DIVISION)
HIGH COURT
COUNTY COURT FAMILY COURT
MAGISTRATES’ COURT
Magistrates’ court
The Magistrates’ mainly deal with criminal cases (96%), however they do deal with some
civil matters, mainly regarding family matters. They deal with less serious cases such as bills,
unpaid fines/ council tax and parking offences. These cases tend to be tried by two/three
magistrates or a District Judge who sits alone. This court must follow precedent and its
decisions are not binding.
County court
This court trials most civil cases that are less serious. County courts do not set binding
precedents for itself or other courts. This court has three tracks: small claims, fast claims
and multi-claims.
Small claims = less than £10,000 claims
Fast claims = £10,000 - £25,000 claims
Multi-claims = over than £25,000 claims
All county court centres can deal with contract and tort cases and recovery of land actions
(Judiciary UK, 2019).
Family court
This court trials most family cases. Mainly concerned regarding the protection of children
and more vulnerable adults. However, on top of this they do listen to cases regarding
marriage, adoption, custody, domestic violence etc.
