Civil Courts

Question 1

What cases do county courts hear?

Answer 1

The majority of cases:
- Economic loss
- Personal injury
- Injunctions

Question 2

What are the divisions of the High Court of Justice?

Answer 2

Kings Bench Division
Chancery
Family

Question 3

What cases does the KBD hear?

Answer 3

The civil cases not suitable for county court

Question 4

What cases does the chancery hear?

Answer 4

Tax
Property
Bankruptcy

Question 5

What cases does the family court hear?

Answer 5

Only complex and important matters
- Adoption
- Divorce
- Hague Convetion

Question 6

What is the Hague Convention?

Answer 6

A treaty that governs the abduction of children

Question 7

What are pre-action protocols?

Answer 7

What parties must do before taking a case to court

Question 8

What are the three pre-action protocols?

Answer 8

1. Letter of claim (explains why the defendant is at fault)
2. Defendant has three months to admit liability or deny it, offering an explanation
3. Parties agree on an expert witness if it is needed

Question 9

What happens if pre-action protocols are not followed?

Answer 9

The party may have to pay the other parties legal costs at the end of the case

Question 10

How much does a low level claim cost to issue?

Answer 10

£25

Question 11

How much does a claim over £200,000 cost to issue?

Answer 11

£10,000

Question 12

What are the three tracks for a claim?

Answer 12

• Small claims
• Fast track
• Multi track

Question 13

What is the small claims track?

Answer 13

Claims under £10,000 or under £1,000 for personal injury.

Question 14

Where are small claims cases dealt with? And by what judge?

Answer 14

In County Court by a District Judge

Question 15

What are ‘litigants in person’ in the small claims track?

Answer 15

Parties must represent themselves due to court costs not being paid, lawyers can’t be afforded

Question 16

What is the ‘inquisitorial approach’ from judges in small claims cases?

Answer 16

Judges assist the litigants and help them to reach an outcome

Question 17

What is the fast track?

Answer 17

For cases between £10,000 and £25,000, or for cases of personal injury between £1,000 and £25,000

Question 18

Where is a fast track claim heard? And by what judge?

Answer 18

In County Court by a Circuit Judge

Question 19

What are multi track cases?

Answer 19

Cases over £25,000 or more complex cases

Question 20

Where are claims up to £50,000 tried on the multi track?

Answer 20

County court by a Circuit Judge

Question 21

Where are claims over £50,000 tried on the multi track?

Answer 21

In the High Court of Justice by a Puisne Judge

Question 22

What does Section. 55 of the Access to Justice Act 1999 state?

Answer 22

An appeal can only be made to the Court of Appeal if it raises an important point of law, or there is a compelling reason

Question 23

What are the advantages of civil courts?

Answer 23

• Fair process
• Parties can appeal
• Binding nature encourages ADR

Question 24

What are the disadvantages of civil courts?

Answer 24

• Cost is high
• Slow process

Question 25

What is HM Online Court?

Answer 25

Allows judges to settle disputes up to £25,000 in value