1. The Court of Appeal (Civil Division) Mainly deals with appeals against decisions of the High Court and County Courts. Its judges are known as the Lords Justices of Appeal. The President of the Civil Division is the Master of the Rolls.

2. The High Court Its full title is The High Court of Justice. Organised into three divisions: the Queen’s Bench, Family and Chancery Divisions. When a division sits as an appeal court, it is known as a divisional court. A High Court judge is known as a puisne judge.

3. County Court A local court hearing civil claims. It generally deals with claims less than £50,000. Either a circuit judge or a district judge will hear a case. Claims for less than £5,000 are heard using the Small Claims Procedure.

4. Family Division of the High Court Hears cases involving the family such as those under the Children Act 1989, matrimonial cases and uncontested grants of probate. Divisional Court hears appeals from the Magistrates’ Court’s Family Panel.

5. Chancery Division of the High Court Hears cases involving bankruptcy, mortgages, copyright, trade marks, patents, company law and contested probate actions. Divisional Court hears appeals on taxation issues from the decisions of the Commissioners of Taxes.

6. Queen’s Bench Division of the High Court Largest division of the High Court. Hears cases involving tort and contract. Divisional Court deals with judicial review, applications for habeas corpus and appeals on a point of law from the Magistrates’ Court.