The Crown Court

The Crown Court deals with trials of the more serious cases, the sentencing of offenders committed for sentence by magistrates’ courts, and appeals from magistrates’ courts. It sits at about 90 centres and is presided over by High Court judges, full-time circuit judges and part-time recorders. High Court judges hear only the most serious cases. They are dressed in scarlet robes and addressed as ‘My Lord’ or ‘My Lady’ in court. Circuit judges generally hear the fairly serious offences. They are addressed as ‘Your Honour’ and wear dark robes. The less serious offences are tried by recorders, who are also addressed as ‘Your Honour’.

The Court of Appeal

From decisions of the High Court and County Court it is possible to appeal to the Court of Appeal. Usually three judges preside over each case. During the hearing, the main participants are the judges and the barristers representing each party – the appellant (the person appealing) and the respondent (who opposes the appeal). Appeals are based either on a disputed verdict or the award of damages.

The House of Lords

Appeals from the Court of Appeals are carried to the House of Lords which is the apex of the judicial system. Only senior judges, known as Lords of Appeal, sit when the House of Lords deals with legal appeals, though they are also sometimes joined by other senior judges. Their decisions on both criminal and civil matters bind all other courts.

1. Match each of the following types of court with the explanation.

1. appellate court (court of appeals) a) This is where a person

under the age of 18 would

be tried.

2. crown court b) This is the court of primary

jurisdiction, where a case is

heard for the first time.

3. high court c) This is where small crimes are

tried.

4. juvenile courts d) This is where a case is

reviewed which has already

been heard in a lower court.

5. lower court e) This is where law students

argue hypothetical cases.

6. magistrates’ court f) This is where cases involving

a limited amount of money are

handled.

7. moot court g) This is where serious criminal

cases are heard by a judge and

a jury.

8. small claims court h) This is where a group of

specially chosen people

examine legal problems of a

particular type, such as

employment disputes.

9. tribunal i) This is usually the highest

court in a jurisdiction, the

court of last resort.

2. Answer the questions.

1. What is the function of the Crown Court?

2. What judges sit in the Crown Court? How are they addressed?

3. What courts do appeals go to the Court of Appeal from?

4. How are judges in the House of Lords called?

5. Are the decisions of the House of Lords obligatory for both civil and criminal courts?

3. Select the relevant information from the texts “Civil Courts” and “Criminal Courts” and transfer it to the chart.

Courts: Judicial organization

Court	Jurisdiction	Judges	Penalty
1. Magistrates’ Court 2. Crown Court 3. County Court 4. The Chancery Division of High Court 5. The Queen’s Bench Division of High Court 6. The Family Division of High Court 7. Court of Appeal 8. The House of Lords

4. Use this chart to describe the organisation of the courts in England and Wales. Point out:

   • Courts of civil and criminal jurisdiction

   • The hierarchy of courts

   • The role and function of each court

5. Translate into English.

К низшим в Англии и Уэльсе относятся суды графств и магистратские суды. Суды графств - основные органы гражданского правосудия, в которых по первой инстанции рассматривается около 90 процентов гражданских дел. Дела в судах графств слушаются окружными судьями или рикордерами в большинстве случаев единолично либо с присяжными.

Магистратские суды рассматривают основную массу уголовных дел. Они могут приговорить осужденных к штрафу либо лишению свободы на срок до шести месяцев. Если магистраты приходят к выводу, что обвиняемый заслуживает более сурового наказания, они передают дело на рассмотрение Суда короны. Магистраты не являются профессиональными юристами и не обязательно имеют юридическое образование.

6. Arrange a discussion on the following.

1. Do you think that legal cases are best decided by professional judges, not by ordinary members of the public? Do you expect lay judges to be able to deal with serious cases and difficult legal concepts?

2. What is an advantage or disadvantage of the hierarchy of the courts in England and Wales?

3. What’s the system of courts in Russia?

4. Which court system seems to you more efficient? The one in England or in Russia? What’s the main difference?