The Judiciary (Papers 1, 2, & 3)

Question 1

The Judiciary

Answer 1

Collective name for judges

Question 1

Superior judges

Answer 1

Judges who sit in the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeal, and the High Court

Question 2

Inferior judges

Answer 2

Judges who sit in the Crown Court, County Court, Magistrates Court, and tribunals

Question 3

Justices of the Supreme Court

Answer 3

Formerly known as the Law Lords, and sit in the Supreme Court so are the most senior judges in the UK. They hear points of law of great importance, and any decision on a point of law becomes precedent, they must sit as an uneven panel to hear a case

Question 4

Senior Judges of the Court of Appeal

Answer 4

Formerly Lord and Lady Justices of Appeal, they hear appeals, usually sit in a panel of 3, and decisions on points of law become precedents which lower courts must follow

Question 5

High Court Judges

Answer 5

Puisne judges, sit in the High Court or the Crown Court. In the King’s Bench Division of the High Court they hear criminal appeals (law only) from the Magistrates Court

Question 6

Circuit Judges

Answer 6

Sit in the Crown Court, hear criminal trials, decide the law, and the sentence if guilty

Question 7

Recorders

Answer 7

Part time judges, usually still practicing solicitors or barristers, and sit in the Crown Court

Question 8

District Judges

Answer 8

Sit in the Magistrates Court, they try criminal cases, sit alone, decide facts and law, decide sentence if guilty