Types of judges

Question 1

What are the main categories of judges in the English legal system?

Answer 1

Superior judges (High Court or above)

Inferior judges (below High Court)

Question 2

Who are the superior judges?

Answer 2

Justices of the Supreme Court

Lord Justices of Appeal

High Court Judges

Question 3

What are the inferior judges?

Answer 3

Circuit judges
Recorders
District Judges (Also in Magistrates’ court)

Question 4

What is the role of Justices of the Supreme Court?

Answer 4

They hear appeals on important points of law, mostly from the Court of Appeal, and set binding precedents

Question 5

What is the role of Lord Justices of Appeal?

Answer 5

They sit in the Court of Appeal, hearing appeals from both civil and criminal cases, and create precedents for lower courts.

Question 6

What is the role of High Court Judges?

Answer 6

They sit in the High Court, trying serious civil cases and also hear some Crown Court criminal cases, like murder.

Question 7

What is the role of a Circuit Judge?

Answer 7

They sit in the Crown Court and County Court, handling criminal trials and civil cases.

Question 8

Who are recorders?

Answer 8

Part-time judges, who sit in the Crown Court and sometimes in County Courts

Question 9

What is the role of a District Judge in the County Court?

Answer 9

They hear small claims and civil cases, often in first instance

Question 10

What is the role of a District Judge in the Magistrates’ Court?

Answer 10

Legally qualified judges who sit alone to try summary offences and conduct preliminary hearing in criminal cases