civil courts

• three tracks

  small claims track

  fast track

  multi track
• small claims track

  max £1,000 personal injury

  max £10,000 property

  straightforwards claims

  county court
• fast track

  £10,000-£25,000

  limited oral evidence

  likely to be completed in one day

  county court
• multi track

  £25,000+ or very complex cases

  usually county but can be high if:

  £50,000 personal injury

  £100,000 property damage
• civil courts advantages

  fair - everyone treated alike

  trial conduction by legal expert

  enforcement - any decision made by courts can be reinforced through court

  appeal process - claimant not happy - possible to appeal against
• civil courts disadvantages

  cost - often more than amount claimed,

  delay - many stages, usually long wait, some cases not finished for years

  complicated process - compulsory steps needed
• alternate dispute resolutions

  negotiation

  mediation

  conciliation

  arbitration
• employment tribunals 


  rules in employment tribunal rules of procedure 2013

  when employer treats employee unlawfully

  c must fill ET1 form

  witnesses only allowed if they can give evidence directly relevant to case

  employer can pay compensation, improve working conditions, give employee job back
• alternate dispute resolutions advantages

  keeps parties on good terms

  saves business more than £1 billion each year

  involve decision making using common sense

  cheaper and quicker
• alternate dispute resolutions disadvantages

  mediation and conciliation on used if parties on speaking terms

  inappropriate to use mediation and conciliation with abuse allegations

  no legal aid

  if adr does work, parties still have to go to court