High Court
The High Court of Justice functions as a civil court of first instance, dealing with all cases of high value and importance, and also has a supervisory jurisdiction over all subordinate courts and tribunals. The High Court consists of three main divisions: the Queen’s Bench Division, the Chancery Division and the Family Division. These divisions of the High Court are not separate courts. Although particular kinds of cases will be assigned to each division depending on their subject matter, each division may exercise the jurisdiction of the High Court. Queen’s Bench Division The Queen’s Bench Division – or King’s Bench Division when the monarch is a King – has two roles. It hears a wide range of contract law and personal injury/general negligence cases, but also has special responsibility as a supervisory court. Queen’s Bench Division judges also sit in the Crown Court, hearing criminal cases (as do Circuit judges and Recorders). Chancery Division The Chancery Division deals with business law, trusts law, probate law, and land law in relation to issues of equity. In addition it has specialist courts within it which deal with intellectual property and company law. All tax appeals are assigned to the Chancery Division. Family Division The Family Division deals with matters such as divorce, children, probate and medical treatment.
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