Courts and tribunals

Different cases go to different courts. Here is how the courts of England and Wales fit together.

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Criminal courts

Magistrates' courts: every criminal case starts here. They decide less serious cases, such as minor theft or driving offences. Cases are heard by magistrates (trained volunteers from the community, usually sitting in twos or threes) or by a paid district judge. There is no jury.
Crown Court: deals with serious crimes, such as robbery or murder. A trial is usually heard by a judge and a jury of 12.
Youth courts deal with most cases involving young people aged 10 to 17.

Civil courts and appeals

County courts deal with most civil cases, such as unpaid debts or faulty goods. Small claims are handled simply, often without lawyers.
The High Court deals with larger and more complex civil cases.
If someone thinks a case was decided wrongly, they may appeal to a higher court, such as the Court of Appeal.
The Supreme Court, which opened in 2009, is the UK's highest court of appeal (for criminal cases from Scotland, the highest court is in Scotland).
CourtTypeExample case
Magistrates' courtCriminal (less serious)Speeding, minor theft
Crown CourtCriminal (serious)Robbery, murder
County courtCivilA builder not paid for work
Supreme CourtAppealsImportant points of law

Tribunals and other ways to settle disputes

Tribunals are specialist bodies that settle particular kinds of dispute, usually less formally than a court. For example, an employment tribunal hears claims of unfair dismissal, and other tribunals hear appeals about benefits or special educational needs support.
Many disputes are settled without a court at all, through mediation: a neutral person helps both sides reach an agreement.
Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own court systems.
Worked example

A worker says she was sacked unfairly. Which body is most likely to hear her case?

  1. This is a dispute between a worker and an employer, not a crime.
  2. Employment disputes have a specialist body.
  3. So it would go to an employment tribunal (often after trying to settle it first).

Answer: An employment tribunal.

Key idea

Every criminal case starts in a magistrates' court; serious ones go to the Crown Court with a judge and jury. Civil cases go to county courts or the High Court. The Supreme Court (2009) is the UK's highest court of appeal. Tribunals settle specialist disputes, such as employment.

Key words
Crown Court
The court in England and Wales for serious criminal cases, usually heard by a judge and a jury of 12.
Jury
A group of 12 members of the public, chosen at random, who decide whether a defendant is guilty in the Crown Court.
2009
The UK Supreme Court opens.
Appeal
Asking a higher court to look again at a decision that may have been wrong.
Community
A group of people who share something, such as a place, a faith or an interest.
Tribunal
A specialist body that settles particular kinds of dispute, such as an employment tribunal.

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  1. Where are serious criminal cases, such as murder, tried with a jury?

    1. A magistrates' court
    2. A county court
    3. The Crown Court
    4. An employment tribunal
    Show the answer

    Answer: The Crown Court

    Serious cases are sent from the magistrates' court to the Crown Court.

  2. Are most magistrates paid, legally qualified judges?

    1. Yes, they are all paid barristers
    2. Yes, they are MPs
    3. No, most are trained unpaid volunteers
    4. No, they are police officers
    Show the answer

    Answer: No, most are trained unpaid volunteers

    Most magistrates are unpaid volunteers; district judges are paid and legally qualified.

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Checked by the GCSE-ready editorial team, 16 October 2026. Last updated 2 October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us and we will fix it.

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