Judicial System of the United Kingdom
The United Kingdom has a three-tiered court system: the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeal, and the High Court. Each court has a specific jurisdiction, or area of law they are responsible for hearing cases and making decisions.
The Supreme Court is the highest court in the UK and is responsible for hearing appeals from the Court of Appeal and the High Court. It also has the power to hear appeals from certain lower courts and tribunals.
The Court of Appeal is the second highest court in the UK and is responsible for hearing appeals from the High Court and some lower courts. It is divided into two divisions: the Civil Division, which hears appeals in civil cases, and the Criminal Division, which hears appeals in criminal cases.
In summary, the UK has a three-tiered court system: the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeal and the High Court. Each court has a specific jurisdiction and cases are heard in accordance to the area of law they are responsible for.
In addition to the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeal, and the High Court, there are several other types of courts in the United Kingdom:
- Magistrates' Courts: These are lower courts that handle less serious criminal cases, such as traffic offenses and minor thefts. They are also responsible for issuing warrants and setting bail.
- County Courts: These courts handle a wide range of civil cases, including small claims, personal injury, and housing disputes. They also handle some family law cases, such as divorce and child custody.
- Coroner's Court: Coroner's courts are responsible for holding inquests in cases where a person has died in suspicious or unexplained circumstances. They also deal with cases where there is a need to establish the identity of a person who has died or to determine the cause of death.
- Tribunals: There are many different types of tribunals in the UK, each with their own specific jurisdiction. Examples include the Employment Tribunal, which deals with workplace disputes, and the Immigration and Asylum Tribunal, which handles appeals from decisions made by the Home Office in immigration and asylum cases.
- Specialized courts: There are some specialized courts which are responsible for certain types of cases, such as the Central Criminal Court, also known as the Old Bailey, which deals with serious criminal cases in London and the South East, or the Technology and Construction Court which deals with disputes in the construction and engineering industry.
Privy Council
The Privy Council is an ancient body of advisors to the British monarch. It is made up of senior politicians and other prominent individuals who are appointed by the monarch. The Privy Council's main function today is to advise the monarch on the exercise of the Royal Prerogative, which are a set of powers, privileges, and immunities that are held by the monarch.
It also acts as a court of final appeal for certain Commonwealth countries and British Overseas Territories, such as Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, and Bermuda, that have retained the Privy Council as their final court of appeal. In these countries, appeals from the highest court of appeal can be heard by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council, which is made up of Privy Councillors who are also judges.
In the United Kingdom, the Privy Council also has a ceremonial role, such as granting Royal charters, approving Orders in Council and proclamations and issuing certain styles and titles.
