Every jurisdiction organizes the administration of justice in different ways. In England, the basic division between criminal and civil law is reflected in the court system. Look at the chart below and then complete the description that refers to each court.
1Claims of lesser value will start in a County Court . There are 250 of these around the country. They can also deal with divorce and bankruptcy matters.
2Matters of important legal dispute arising in the Crown Court may be appealed to the ______.
3From the Court of Appeal, there can be an appeal to the ______ on fact or law, but usually appeal is only allowed on matters of legal importance.
4If the case involves a serious crime, it is heard in the ______ (there is only one ______ but it has about 70 centres around the jurisdiction).
5In less serious criminal cases (which comprise over 90% of criminal cases), the case is sent for trial in one of over 400 ______ .
6More substantial civil claims (over around £25,000) are heard in the ______ .
7The ______ was set up under the Treaty of Rome of 1957, by which the European Community was established. The court can overrule all other courts on matters of Community law.
8Under the system of appeals in civil cases, it is possible to appeal from a County Court or the High Court to the ______ .
* The judges in the House of Lords are known as Law Lords. They typically sit as a committee to develop and define the law of the land.
F The courts
Link the courts in the left-hand column with their definitions on the right.
Court
Definition
small claims court
a
court responsible for settling disputes relating to European Community Law, and also acting as a last Court of Appeal against laws in individual countries
Court of Appeal
b
court presided over by a coroner
County Court
c
court which hears appeals from industrial tribunals
European Court of Human Rights
d
main civil court in England and Wales
industrial tribunal
e
highest court of appeal in both civil and criminal cases in England and Wales
magistrates' court
f
court which decides in disputes involving ships
coroner's court
g
court which hears local civil cases
Crown Court
h
court which deals with disputes over small amounts of money
Lands Tribunal
i
civil or criminal court to which a person may go to ask for an award or a sentence to be changed
Judicial Committee of the Privy Council
j
court considering the rights of citizens of states which are parties to the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights
Commercial Court
k
court which can decide in disputes between employers and employees
rent tribunal
l
court presided over by magistrates
High Court
m
court which administers the property of people suffering from disability
European Court of Justice
n
court, formed of a circuit judge and jury, which hears criminal cases
Court of Protection
o
court which adjudicates in disputes about rent, and can award a fair rent
Employment Appeal Tribunal
p
appeal court for appeals from courts outside the UK, such as the courts of some Commonwealth countries
Judicial Committee of the House of Lords
q
court which deals with compensation claims relating to land
Admiralty Court
r
court in the Queen's Bench division which hears cases relating to business disputes
Divisions
s
division of the High Court with civil and criminal jurisdiction which is also responsible for judicial review
Chancery Division
t
division of the High Court with jurisdiction over cases relating to Family Law and the transfer of property or death
Queen’s Bench Division
u
separate sections of the High Court and Court of Appeal
Family Division
v
division of the High Court of Justice, presided over by the Lord Chancellor with the jurisdiction concerning the law of property, trusts, land matters, etc.
