Civil courts

Question 1

2 types of civil courts

Answer 1

County Court = tries nearly all civil cases - Circuit or District Judge (jury of 8 for defamation)
High Court = QBD, Chancery and Family divisions - jury for libel, fraud, slander

Question 2

Civil Track System - Small Claims

Answer 2

Under £10,000 (£1,000)
District Judges in private
No legal rep

Question 3

Civil track system - fast track

Answer 3

£10,000-£25,000
Strict timetable for hearing w/in 30 weeks
Hearing w/in one day
Shared expert witness

Question 4

Civil track system - multi-track

Answer 4

Over £25,000
Judge manages case from moment of allocation

Question 5

Civil track system - impact of woolf reforms

Answer 5

Proportional, just and reasonably fast
Track System and increased ADR

Question 6

Civil appeals - county court

Answer 6

If heard by District, reheard by Circuit Judge
If heard by Circuit, reheard by High Court Judge
Further appeal to COA (important point of law, or compelling reason)

Question 7

Civil appeals - high court

Answer 7

Further appeal to COA
Possible leapfrog to Supreme, for issues of national importance

Question 8

Advantages of courts

Answer 8

Fair and impartial
Legal experience
Enforceable
Legal aid

Question 9

Disadvantages of courts

Answer 9

Costly
Time delay
Complicated process