Chapter 6

A system which allows two or more competing sides to present and argue their case. The argument is presented before a judge, who makes a decision based on the evidence presented.

The body of rules relating to procedure in civil courts. These were introduced as part of the Woolf Reforms.

The county court hears civil matters, such as debt repayment and personal injury claims. It deals with relatively straightforward claims.

Often referred to as the High Court, this is a civil court, divided into the Chancery Division, the Family Division and the Queen’s Bench Division. It acts as both a Court of First Instance and an appellate court. The High Court sits at the Royal Courts of Justice in London.

The lowest court in the court hierarchy. It is presided over by lay magistrates or district judges. Most of a magistrates’ business relates to criminal matters.

One of the most senior judges in the English legal system. The Master of the Rolls is the Head of the Civil Court of Appeal.

A very old part of government with various functions, including monitoring the work of companies and bodies incorporated by Royal Charter. Its Judicial Committee acts as a final court of appeal in some Commonwealth countries. Many of the Lords of Appeal in Ordinary sit on the Privy Council Judicial Committee. Decisions of the Privy Council are persuasive rather than binding on English courts.

Judges of the High Court. These are more often simply referred to as High Court judges. ‘Puisne’ is pronounced ‘pewnee’.