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Courts and the legal system

Study note

The UK uses different courts for different kinds of case, depending on how serious they are. Minor criminal cases are dealt with by magistrates in a magistrates' court. Magistrates are usually local people who give their time to hear less serious matters. More serious criminal cases are sent to the Crown Court, where the case is heard before a judge and a jury.

Young people who are accused of crimes appear in a Youth Court rather than an adult court. At the very top of the system, the Supreme Court is the highest court of appeal in the UK, the final place a case can be decided. So for the test, remember the ladder: minor crimes go to magistrates, serious crimes go to the Crown Court with a judge and jury, and the Supreme Court sits above all others as the highest court of appeal.

Memory tip: Minor crimes -> magistrates; serious crimes -> Crown Court with a jury; top court = Supreme Court.

Practise this topic

Question 1 of 4

Serious criminal cases in England are heard in which court, before a judge and jury?

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Show all questions and answers for Courts and the legal system(4 questions with explanations)

Courts and the legal system: questions, answers and explanations

  1. 1. Serious criminal cases in England are heard in which court, before a judge and jury?

    • The Crown Court
    • The Youth Court
    • The Supreme Court
    • The magistrates' court

    Correct answer: The Crown Court

    Serious criminal cases are heard in the Crown Court before a judge and jury.

  2. 2. Who normally deals with minor criminal cases?

    • Magistrates
    • The Prime Minister
    • The House of Lords
    • The monarch

    Correct answer: Magistrates

    Minor criminal cases are dealt with by magistrates.

  3. 3. Which of these statements is correct?

    • The Supreme Court is the highest court of appeal in the UK
    • The magistrates' court is the highest court of appeal in the UK

    Correct answer: The Supreme Court is the highest court of appeal in the UK

    The Supreme Court is the highest court of appeal in the UK.

  4. 4. Which of these does NOT normally hear serious criminal cases before a judge and jury?

    • The Sheriff Court
    • The Crown Court
    • The magistrates' court
    • The High Court in Scotland

    Correct answer: The magistrates' court

    Magistrates deal with minor cases; serious criminal cases go before a judge and jury in higher courts.

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