1. Week 3 – Civil Courts Structure
Unit 3 – Law for Business
Week 3 – Civil Courts Structure
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2. Introduction Civil courts deal with everyday matters
Do not normally involve the police
What kind of issues do the civil courts deal with
(gives info on courts)
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3. Research activity
In pairs choose one of the kinds of law that the civil courts deal with and find out more about it. Explain why it is normally civil law but can in certain circumstances, become criminal law too.
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4. Small Claims Court Role
Set within the County Courts but has a separate procedure
Deals with cases brought by people (or firms or other organisations) against other people (firms or organisations), usually involving money
Can deal with personal injury only if amounts less than a £1000
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5. Small Claims Court Function: People on each side called the parties
In many case no solicitors needed
Hearing can be public or private
Jurisdiction:
Civil law only
Simple and straightforward from a legal point of view
Involving sums of money no greater than £5000
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6. County Court Main civil court in England and Wales
Mostly small claims work as already mentioned
Hearings presided over by a judge
Sometimes there may be a fee to pay to the court
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7. County Court (procedure)
Fast track & multi-track are used only when there is complexity to a case or too much money involved to be dealt with by the small claims court.
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8. High Court Divisions in major cities –
main building The Strand – London
Deals only with major civil cases (money, publicity, complex)
Split into 3 parts
CHANCERY DIVISION
FAMILY DIVISION
QUEENS BENCH DIVISION
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9. Court of Appeal (Civil Division)
C of A split into civil and criminal
Apart from Supreme Court highest court of Appeal in England and Wales
Deals with appeals from County and High court
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10. Supreme Court
Listens to difficult cases that have not been resolved in the C of A
Appeals listened to by a group of Law Lords who are judges
Example case; Star Wars!
September 08
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11. European Court of Justice
ECJ is NOT the same as the European Court of Human Rights
Roles;
to clarify European law for courts in member countries
To take action against governments of member countries for failure to fulfil community obligations (e.g. weights and measures)
To make a judgement when member countries demand the annulment of an EU regulation, directive or decision
To hear appeals against the judgement of the court of first instance
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12. Case Study
What are the advantages and disadvantages of having European courts which can, in certain circumstances, overrule British courts and even the actions of the British Government.
Work in pairs and present to the rest of the group using flip chart paper
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13. Difference First instance Appeal courts
Deals with cases which are not appeals
i.e. County Court
Appeal courts
Cases that have been heard but which are re-examined for one of the following;
The law was misinterpreted in the first trial
New evidence/information has appeared
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14. Case Study Which court would Susan use to sue her hairdresser?
Describe the steps she would have to go through to conduct a claim?
What amount would Susan claim in compensation?
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15. Case Study
Have a read through the case study and note down your thoughts on this true event!!
September 08
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16. RESEARCH ACTIVITY
In pairs using the special issue pdf choose two cases and write a summary of each for next session.
The following resources may prove useful for any further research and explanation
law text books
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