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Published 2022-02-21Last updated 2026-10-01

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Business and Property Courts

Specialist courts which decide business, commercial, property, technology and construction disputes, both domestic and international.

Court of Appeal

The Court of Appeal deals exclusively with people challenging the decisions made by other courts or tribunals. It has two divisions, Criminal and Civil (the latter also hears family appeals).

High Court

The High Court hears the most serious administrative, civil and family cases. It has three divisions – King’s Bench, Family and Chancery.

Tribunals

The Tribunals are specialist judicial bodies whose judges and members hear a wide range of cases, such as tax, employment, and immigration and asylum. The Upper Tribunal and Employment Appeal Tribunal hear appeals challenging some tribunal decisions.

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Magistrates’ courts

Magistrates, or Justices of the Peace as they are also known, are trained, volunteer members of the local community who make decisions in criminal and family cases in Magistrates’ courts and the Family Court. The most complex cases in Magistrates’ courts are heard by District Judges who are legally qualified specialists.

Coroners’ courts

Coroners investigate certain deaths which are deemed to be unnatural, violent, or where the cause is unknown.

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Family Justice Council

Civil Justice Council

Appointments and retirements

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Venues named 1

Court and tribunal venues this document names. A mention is not a statement that the document applies only there.

  • Central Criminal Court

    cited asCentral Criminal Court

    …October 8, 2026 Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor -v- The Central Criminal Court and another See mo…