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1.1 The Northern Ireland Legal System (Criminal Court Structure…

- - - - Age 10-17 and charged with a criminal offense - RM & two lay magistrates
    - - Court of Appeal
        
        UK Supreme Court
        
        Final court of appeal civil & criminal
        
        Cases of major importance only
        
        5 justices usually hear the case - odd number to ensure majority verdict
        
        Only court where proceedings can be televised
        
        Subject to higher law - European Law
        
        Appellate court - highest in NI. Hears appeals from lower courts
        
        2/3 judges & no jury
        
        Hears Civil & Criminal Appeals. Re criminal law has jurisdiction to hear appeals from Crown Court
        
        Allow appeal & acquit defendent. 2. Reduce/vary/increase sentence. 3. Order a re-trial. 4. Dismiss appeal. P7
      - Non jury trials / Diplock courts
        
        Introduced in the 70's - defendants charged with paramiltary offenses & intimidation / tampering was a risk
        
        Diplock abolished in 2007, but right to non jury trial exists but not restricted to paramilitary offenses
      - 13 locations in NI
      - Two main functions
        
        All indictable (serious) offenses. Begins with arraignment of accused. Judge & Jury. Right to appeal if given leave to appeal
        
        Appeals against conviction or length of sentence. Matter re-heard and conviction stands or is overturned
    - - Where the court sits depends on where offence was committed and where defendant resides
- - - - High Court
        
        Court of Appeal
        
        UK Supreme Court
        
        See Criminal Law
        
        Hears appeals from High Court, County Court & Industrial Tribunals
        
        3 divisions - Queens bench, Chancery & Family
        
        Queens bench - Tort & Contract over £15,000. Supervises inferior courts. Hears county & crown court appeals
        
        Commercial court -National & International Business disputes
        
        Chancery - Equity matters, land & trusts. Bankruptcy.
        
        Family division - Divorce, custody & adoption
        
        Heard by 3 Lord Justices of Appeal, or 10 high court judges
      - Largest civil court
      - Cases heard in one of seven county court districts, by county court judges assisted by District Judges
      - Contract or tort law less than £30,000. Equity matters less than £45,000
      - District judges hear cases up to £10,000. Less than £2000 heard in the small claims court.
      - Recovery & title of land.Trusts. Liquor liscences. Undisputed divorces.
      - Small claims - compensation for faulty goods or unsatisfactory services. Disputes between landlords & tenants or damages to property
      - Fair Employment & Industrial Tribunals