The court system

Most of us have many questions about how the UK court system works. Whether you are a student, or you have an upcoming case in a UK court or tribunal, or if you’re just interested in learning about the UK legal system, our blog discusses a range of topics. Issues discussed include the structure and hierarchy of the court system, which court is for what type of claim, how the court process works, and how to get legal advice.

We also explore current topics in the news regarding the court system, such as proposed reductions to the number of UK magistrates and crown courts, and the role of the new Supreme Court.

Have a browse for topics of interest. If you need legal advice on anything you come across, or if you need a solicitor to represent you in court, Contact Law can put you in touch with a solicitor specialising in your area of law.

Musical-loving student sentenced for contempt of court

A Manchester university student has been sentenced for contempt of court after he didn’t perform his jury duty. 19-year-old Matthew Banks had tickets to a London West End show on the fifth day of the trial. In order to see the show he claimed to be ill and unable to attend the hearing. However, Banks [...]

Assange extradition case raises issue of “great public importance”

This blog has previously reported that Julian Assange, the founder of Wikileaks, is fighting extradition to Sweden. It was recently announced that his appeal will be heard by seven Supreme Court Justices in February next year. Swedish authorities are seeking Assange’s extradition in order to question him in relation to two incidents that allegedly took [...]

Insight into the UK’s most secretive court

Sir Nicholas Wall, the head of the court of protection, one of the most secretive and controversial courts in the country, has publically recognised the need for greater public insight into the court. His remarks were made in the Guardian, following the newspaper’s unprecedented three-week access to its hearings. The court of protection was established [...]

UK’s approach to human rights can have serious repercussions

The critical approach of the United Kingdom to the European Convention of Human Rights can potentially damage other countries’ adherence to human rights. This caution came from Thorbjørn Jagland, Secretary-General of the Council of Europe, as he visited London yesterday.  The Council is the supervising body of the European Convention of Human Rights and its [...]

UK Attorney General to Challenge power of European Court of Human Rights

The Government’s main legal advisor, the Attorney General Dominic Grieve, is to address the European Court of Human Rights on two key issues in November. Firstly, he both is critical of the Court’s view on prisoners’ voting rights and also believes that the principle of subsidiarity should be further emphasised. The principle of subsidiarity is [...]

SNP anger as teenage murder case heads to Supreme Court

The Scottish National Party has expressed its frustration with the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court after a convicted murderer said he will appeal to the court directly, despite the most senior judges in Scotland refusing to grant permission. Luke Mitchell, who was 15 –years-old when he was convicted of murdering his girlfriend, is going to [...]

Legal Aid cuts will lead to chaos in court, warn judges

Courts are facing a huge increase in the number of people forced to represent themselves because they cannot afford legal representation but do not qualify for public funding as a result of the Government’s cuts to the Legal Aid budget. Judges fear that the £350m reduction in the Legal Aid budget will cause chaos in [...]

Judiciary predict legal aid cuts will lead to “inevitable decline” in quality of justice

The Judges’ Council of England and Wales has published its response to the Government’s consultation paper on the proposals to reform legal aid, and the key conclusions are that it will cost more in the long run and have “serious implications for the quality of the justice system”.

Questions over use of Twitter in court raised by Lord Chief Justice

A new consultation paper issued by the office of the Lord Chief Justice suggests that Tweeting from court could seriously undermine the independence of the jury and inadvertently coach witnesses, and should therefore be subject to a judge’s approval.

Lord Chief Justice warns over use of twitter in court

The Lord Chief Justice has warned that court based tweeting and the misuse of the internet could lead to the end of the jury system in the UK.

Why are there different tracks for civil claims?

In civil claims, the court will allocate the matter to one of three tracks. Namely, the small claims track, the fast track, and the multi-track. When deciding which track to allocate a case to, the principal factor taken into account by the courts is the financial value of the claim.

What is the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court?

The Supreme Court was established by the Constitutional Reform Act 2005. The Court replaced the House of Lords, previously the last court of appeal in the UK. The business and workings of the Court will be essentially the same as those of the House of Lords; the changes brought about by the reforms are constitutional [...]

How does the coroners’ court work?

Following a person’s death, it is standard practice for a doctor to examine the body to determine the cause of death. A coroner will only be used in certain situations, including:

Is the new Supreme Court any different from the House of Lords?

The Constitutional Reform Act 2005 made provision for the creation of a new Supreme Court of the United Kingdom. The Supreme Court replaced the House of Lords, previously the last court of appeal in the UK. The change is significant; it is said to be the final step in the separation of powers in the [...]

Proposals to replace courts with ad hoc mobile courtrooms raise concerns over the effect on justice

Alongside broad public calls for reductions in public spending, the court system has recently come to the fore as a target for cost reductions. Back in June of this year, the government announcement that it was considering the option of closing 103 magistrates’ courts and 54 county courts, of the 530 courts that HMCS currently [...]

What is the hierarchy of the UK Court system?

The hierarchy of the court system has been established so that the majority of cases are heard in the lower courts, with only appeals on important points of law and public interest being heard in the higher courts. Legal advice should be obtained to ensure the right court hears any given case.