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How do the different courts fit together?


THE HOUSE OF LORDS
The Lord Chancellor and other Law Lords
Appeals from the Court of Appeal and the High Court
(also from courts in Scotland and Northern Ireland)

COURT OF APPEAL
 
CRIMINAL DIVISION
Lord Chief Justice
Appeals from the Crown Court
CIVIL DIVISION
Master of the Rolls
Appeals from the High Court, county courts and tribunals


HIGH COURT
Based at the Royal Courts of Justice, London. It also sits in court centres around England and Wales. It has three divisions.
Appeals from the Court of Appeal and the High Court
(also from courts in Scotland and Northern Ireland)
Deals with the more important civil cases
FAMILY DIVISION
Cases to do with marriage, children, probate, estates
QUEEN BENCH DIVISION
Actions for damages, e.g. personal injury, breaches of contract, libel
CHANCERY DIVISION
Company law, bankruptcy, trusts


CROWN COURT
Circuit Judge and Jury
 Serious criminal cases
e.g. murder, rape, robbery
Referrals for sentence and appeals from magistrates' courts


COUNTY COURT
District & Circuit Judges
 Civil cases
e.g. divorce, debt recovery, mortgage repossession


MAGISTRATES' COURTS
Magistrates (also called Justices of the Peace)
Most criminal cases, some family cases and licensing

TRIBUNALS
Chaired by specialist lawyers, doctors & surveyors as appropriate
Specific legal issues

The Courts

Magistrates' Courts

Youth Courts

Family Courts

Court Structure