CIVIL- APPEALS AND APPELATE COURTS

If a party is dissatisfied with the decision made by the trial judge about liability or compensation, they can appeal.

An appeal consists of legal arguments as to why an original decision should be altered and the appeal is typically made to the next highest court in the hierarchy; heard by a panel of three judges. New evidence is rarely heard as there must be legal grounds for the appeal and not just the disappointment of an involved party. They are supposed to be made within 21 days of the original hearing and if an appeal is made, costs increase as lawyers would be required to argue the grounds of appeal. An appellate court may agree with the original decision or reverse it - it also holds the right to agree upon compensation awarded or alter the amount.

APPEALS FROM COUNTY COURT

If a district judge made the original decision, the appeal is heard by a Circuit Judge of the same court. If the circuit judge made the decision, an appeal could be made to a High Court Judge or the division relevant to the case. The appeal may also be directly made to the Court of Appeal if the case raises important points of practice or principle - however, the court must agree to hear the case.

APPEALS FROM HIGH COURT

An appeal to the decision of a High Court Judge is normally heard by the Court of Appeal's Civil Division. If a party wishes this to be taken further it may go to the Supreme Court - on the condition that the Court of Appeal grants permission. The Supreme Court is the highest for hearing civil appeals and only hears them if a point of general public importance or complicated law is involved. If there's an issue of national importance the case may 'leapfrog' from the High Court to the Supreme Court - this can also occur if the case raises issues of sufficient importance.