county court

• local court
• jurisdiction to hear almost all civil cases
• maximum claim usually less than £100,000 but can hear cases more than this if both parties agree to county court trial
• many cases don't make it to trial, parties settle dispute before case is heard
• depending on value of case either heard by

  circuit judges

  district judges

  recorders - part time judges
• judges decide who wins, compensation, remedies, who pays most of case
• can hear civil cases involving contract, tort, land disputes, wills (up to £30,000) and family cases
• rarely can use jury of 8 people to decide verdict in case