The Role of the Courts

• In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, most minor criminal cases are dealt with in a Magistrates’ Court. In Scotland, minor criminal offences go to a Justice of the Peace Court.
• In Northern Ireland, cases are heard by a District Judge or their Deputy who is legally qualified and paid.
• In England, Wales and Northern Ireland a jury has 12 members, and in Scotland a jury has 15 members.
• In Scotland, a third verdict of ‘not proven’ is also possible.
• The small claims procedure is an informal way of helping people to settle minor disputes without spending a lot of time and money using a lawyer. This procedure is used for claims of less than £10,000 in England and Wales, £5,000 using the simple claims procedure in Scotland, and £3,000 in Northern Ireland.