Judiciary

• Inferior Judges

  Circuit Judges are responsible for case management, this involves organising the case and keeping parties to strict time limits both before and during the trial.  Further, the judge will have to allocate a case to a track and deal with any preliminary issues.  A single judge decides on the law and facts and decides which party has won the case
• Inferior Judges (2)

  They will then have to decide on how much damages/ costs need to be paid by the losing party to the winning party.  

  In criminal cases the judge will take less of an active role, but is still responsible for ensuring the hearing is carried out fairly and presiding over the court.  This includes deciding matters of the law.
• Inferior Judges (3)

   In the Crown Court the judge must sum up the key issues to be decided by the jury by giving a speech.  If a guilty verdict is returned, the judge will also have to sentence the defendant.  

   Recorders are used in the Crown Court and some sit in the County Court.  They hear trials and will have similar roles to that of Circuit judges discussed abo
• Inferior Judges (4)

  District Judges  sit in the County Court to deal with small claims cases to deal with small claims cases (under £10,000).  When dealing with these claims they will have a similar role to that of circuit judges above.  

  District Judges (Magistrates’ Courts) sit and try complex cases which are to be heard in the Magistrates’ Court and decide on the facts and law in order to reach a verdict and will also sentence if the D is guilty.  They may also hear family cases.
• Superior Judges

  Only hear appeals for the most impostant cases where decisions might affect members of the public or involves a change in the law. Must decide whether to grant leave to appeal they will consider the hearing at first instance and where law was decided correctly. If they agree then they will clarify law (Pepper v Hart , R v G&R)
• Superior Judges (2)

  Judges have power to change the decision perhaps reversing the conviction or outcome of the case, reducing the order of the award. In criminal law it may be deemed necessary to order a retrial although it’s rare that the Supreme Court hears criminal cases.
• Superior Judges (3)

  Lord Justices of Appeal sit in the court of Appeal. Any decisions made by these judges then set a precedent which all the courts below are bound to follow.

  High Court Judges sit in the high court every judge is assigned to 1/3 divisions. The main function of these judges is to try civil cases at first instance they will hear evidence from witnesses decide what the law is and make a decision as to what side has won. If claim is for damages the judge will decide on the amount to be awarded . Judges sit alone to hear these cases.
• Superior Judges (4)

  Judicial Review cases are also dealt with by these judges this where they review the validity or otherwise of decisions made by the government this way the judiciary is able to act as a check on the executive.