Courts in England and Wales — Understanding the Different Courts and Getting Help

Criminal cases and civil cases are dealt with by different courts. Criminal cases are about whether someone has broken the law and may be punished. Civil cases are disagreements between people, landlords, companies or organisations — often about money, housing, goods, services or family arrangements.

The information on this page mainly covers England and Wales. Scotland and Northern Ireland have separate court systems, with different court names, structures and procedures.

The official overview of how the courts fit together is published by the Courts and Tribunals Judiciary.

All criminal cases begin in a Magistrates' Court. These courts normally deal with less serious criminal offences, many motoring offences, decisions about bail, and some family matters.

Cases are usually heard by magistrates or by a district judge, without a jury. Magistrates are trained members of the public who sit with a legal adviser in the courtroom.

More serious criminal cases can be sent to the Crown Court, either for the trial itself or for sentencing.

Official information: GOV.UK — Criminal courts and Judiciary — Magistrates' court.

The Crown Court deals with:

• serious criminal cases
• trials in front of a judge and a jury
• sentencing for serious offences
• certain appeals against decisions made in a Magistrates' Court

A judge deals with the law and the sentence. Where there is a jury, the jury decides the facts — whether the case against the defendant has been proved.

Official information: Judiciary — Crown Court.

The County Court deals mainly with civil disagreements. It is not a criminal court and it does not decide whether someone is guilty of a crime. Cases it commonly deals with include:

• debt claims and money claims
• housing and possession cases, including rent arrears and eviction claims
• disputes about goods or services
• personal injury claims
• some business disputes

Official information: Judiciary — County Court.

The Family Court deals with family matters, including:

• arrangements for children, such as who they live with and spend time with
• financial disputes connected with divorce or the ending of a civil partnership
• domestic abuse protection orders
• care proceedings brought by a local authority
• adoption

Official information: Judiciary — Family Court. Our adoption page and abuse and domestic abuse page may also help.

The High Court deals with serious or complicated civil and family cases, judicial reviews (challenges to decisions made by public bodies) and certain appeals. It works in three parts:

• King's Bench Division — larger claims such as serious injury, contract disputes and judicial review.
• Chancery Division — business, property, wills, trusts and company matters.
• Family Division — the most serious or complicated family cases.

Official information: Judiciary — High Court.

The Court of Appeal hears certain appeals against decisions made in the Crown Court, the High Court and some other courts. The UK Supreme Court is the highest court and hears a small number of appeals on important points of law.

Appeals are limited, have strict time limits and are not simply a second chance to argue the same case. People normally need specialist legal advice before attempting an appeal.

Official information: Judiciary — Court of Appeal and The Supreme Court.

Tribunals are separate from the ordinary courts. They are usually less formal and consider matters such as employment disputes, benefits decisions, immigration and asylum, tax, and special educational needs.

If your concern is a benefits decision, our Benefits and Pensions and Universal Credit and DWP support pages explain how to challenge a decision before a tribunal is involved.

You can look up a tribunal, including its address and contact details, using GOV.UK Find a court or tribunal.

If you have to attend a hearing, it usually helps to:

• arrive early — allow time for traffic, parking and finding the right courtroom
• expect security checks on the way in, similar to an airport
• bring your court papers, any evidence and a pen and paper
• dress in tidy, comfortable clothes — a suit is not required
• switch phones off, not just to silent, once you are inside a courtroom
• speak clearly and respectfully, and wait until it is your turn to speak
• ask for a break if you feel unwell or overwhelmed

Court staff can explain procedures, forms and where to go, but they cannot give legal advice or tell you what to say.

You can check the address, opening times and facilities of your court on GOV.UK Find a court or tribunal.

You can contact the court before the hearing to ask for help taking part. Things people often ask for include:

• step-free access, accessible toilets or a hearing loop
• papers in large print or a different format
• a British Sign Language interpreter or a language interpreter
• extra breaks, a quiet waiting area, or attending by video or phone
• support with communication, or permission to bring someone with you

Ask as early as you can and put the request in writing if possible, giving the case number. Requests are considered individually and it cannot be promised that every requested adjustment will be approved, so check what has been agreed before the hearing date.

Contact details for your court are on GOV.UK Find a court or tribunal.

The support available depends on why you are attending court. Witnesses and victims of crime can usually get help from the Witness Service, including a pre-visit to see a courtroom, a separate waiting area where available, and someone to sit with them. Defendants should speak to their own solicitor about what will happen on the day.

• GOV.UK — Going to court as a victim or witness
• GOV.UK — Being a witness
• Victim Support — free, independent support for victims of crime, whether or not the crime was reported.

Legal aid is help with legal costs. Whether you can get it depends on the type of case, your financial circumstances and other eligibility rules. Some kinds of case are not covered at all. You can check using the official GOV.UK legal aid checker.

• Sixpence Support UK — Solicitors explains how to find a solicitor and what to expect on costs.
• Citizens Advice — free, independent advice on court, debt, housing, benefits and consumer problems.
• Support Through Court — free practical and emotional support for people facing civil or family court without a lawyer.
• GOV.UK — Representing yourself in court
• Letter Support — free help understanding a difficult letter.

Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own court systems, with different court names, structures and procedures. In Scotland, for example, criminal and civil cases are dealt with in the Justice of the Peace Court, the Sheriff Court, the High Court of Justiciary and the Court of Session. Do not assume that the England and Wales information above applies.

• Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service
• Northern Ireland — Courts and Tribunals