Civil Courts

• There are about 200 County Courts in England and Wales and they try almost all civil cases, including contract, tort, and disputes over land.
• Circuit or District judges sit in a county court and they hear cases without a jury.
• There is one High Court knows as the Royal Courts of Justice in London. It also has judges sitting at 43 towns throughout England and Wales.
• The High Court has three divisions: Queen's Bench Divisions, Family Divisions, and the Chancery Divisions.
• Parties are encouraged to avoid court so they can use ADRs.
• The court parties use will depend on the amount which is being claimed. There are different limits for personal injury and damage to property.
• If the amount claimed is £100,000 or less for property then the case must be started in the County Court.
• If the amount claimed is £50,000 or less for personal injury then the case must be started in the County Court.
• If the case is worth more than this then the claimant can choose whether to start the case in the County Court or the High Court.
• Pre-trial proceedings begin when the claimant issues a claim form (NI Form).
• There are three tracks:

  • Small claims track
  • Fast track
  • Multi track
• Small claims track is for most claims under £10,000.
• Fast track is for claims between £10,000 and £25,000
• Multi track is for claims over £25,000 or for lesser money sums where the case involves complex points of law and/or evidence.
• Small claims cases are heard by a district judge and are dealt with in a relatively informal way.
• Fast track cases are heard by a circuit judge and is limited to one day.
• Multi-track is the most complicated case and so therefore is not the restrictions on witnesses and court time that are present for the fast track. The judge for these cases must identify issues at an early stage and encourage ADR.