Question 1

What is the Magistrates' Court?

Accepted Answer

In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, most minor criminal cases are dealt with in a Magistrates' Court. In Scotland, minor criminal offences go to a Justice of the Peace Court. Magistrates and Justices of the Peace (JPs) are members of the local community. In England, Wales and Scotland they usually work unpaid and do not need legal qualifications: they receive training and are supported by a legal adviser. Magistrates decide the verdict and, if guilty, the sentence. In Northern Ireland, cases are heard by a District Judge or Deputy District Judge, who is legally qualified and paid.

Question 2

What is the Youth Court?

Accepted Answer

In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, if an accused person is aged 10 to 17, the case is normally heard in a Youth Court in front of up to three specially trained magistrates or a District Judge. The most serious cases still go to the Crown Court. Parents or carers are expected to attend, the public is not allowed in, and the young person's name or photo cannot be published. Scotland instead uses the Children's Hearings System; Northern Ireland uses a system of youth conferencing.

Question 3

What is the Crown Court?

Accepted Answer

In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, serious offences are tried in front of a judge and a jury in a Crown Court. In Scotland, serious cases are heard in a Sheriff Court with either a sheriff alone or a sheriff with a jury. The most serious Scottish cases, such as murder, are heard at a High Court with a judge and jury. A jury has 12 members in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and 15 members in Scotland. In Scotland, a third verdict of 'not proven' is also possible alongside 'guilty' / 'not guilty'. If the jury finds a defendant guilty, the judge decides the penalty.

Question 4

What is the County Court?

Accepted Answer

County Courts deal with a wide range of civil disputes: getting back money that is owed, personal injury, family matters, breach of contract, and divorce. In Scotland, most of these matters are dealt with in the Sheriff Court instead.

Question 5

What is the Small Claims Procedure?

Accepted Answer

An informal way of settling minor disputes without spending a lot of time and money on a lawyer. The hearing is held in front of a judge in an ordinary room. Used for claims of less than £5,000 in England and Wales, and less than £3,000 in Scotland and Northern Ireland. Small claims can also be issued online through Money Claims Online.

Question 6

What is the High Court?

Accepted Answer

More serious civil cases (for example, when a large amount of compensation is being claimed) are dealt with in the High Court in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. In Scotland, these cases are dealt with in the Court of Session in Edinburgh instead.

Act	Year	Significance
Magna Carta	1215	Limited the king's power; established rule of law
Habeas Corpus Act	1679	Forbid unlawful imprisonment
Bill of Rights	1689	Confirmed rights of Parliament over the monarch
Act of Union	1707	United England and Scotland into Kingdom of Great Britain
Reform Act	1832	Abolished rotten boroughs; increased voters
Emancipation Act	1833	Abolished slavery throughout the British Empire

Criminal Courts

Magistrates' Court

Youth Court

Crown Court

Civil Courts

County Court

Small Claims Procedure

High Court

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⚖️ Court Hierarchy