role of superior judges

justices of the supreme court

• Constitutional Reform Act 2005

→ max of 12 justices

→ most senior judges in the country

• sit in the supreme court to hear final appeals from all courts in the UK

Lord Justices of Appeal - Civil Division of the Court of Appeal

hear appeals from cases in the County Court or High Court

Lord Justices of Appeal - Criminal Division of the Court of Appeal

hear appeals from trials in the Crown Court

High Court Judges

• assigned to one of the divisions of the High Court and will hear the cases assigned to that division

• Can sit as judges of the Court of Appeal alongside Lords Justices to hear appeals relating to work of the respective divisions

High Court Judges - Queen’s Bench Division

hear high value civil claims of contract and tort, hear serious criminal cases such as murder in crown court

High Court Judges - Chancery Division

hear high value commercial claims and cases of liquidation of companies and partnership disputes

High Court Judges - Family division

hear claims relating disputes of property and financial matters of married and unmarried partners and relating to children of relationships