Courts, Tribunals and Youth Justice

Which court, and why?

When a crime is committed or a dispute cannot be settled, it may end up in court - but not the same court every time. The type of case decides where it is heard and who decides the outcome. This module covers the courts of England and Wales (a legal system genuinely different from Scotland's and Northern Ireland's), the tribunals and mediation that settle civil disputes, and the separate youth justice system for under-18s.

Court and tribunal words

Six terms map out the whole justice landscape.

Magistrates' Court vs Crown Court

Criminal cases in England and Wales are split between two courts: - Magistrates' Court: hears less serious (summary) offences. Magistrates - not a jury - decide, and sentencing powers are limited. Serious cases also have their first hearing here. - Crown Court: hears serious (indictable) offences. A judge manages the trial and a jury of 12 decides guilt; sentencing powers are greater. Rule of thumb: the more serious the crime, the more likely it reaches the Crown Court and a jury.

Where does a serious case go?

A defendant is charged with a very serious offence that will be decided by a jury. Which court holds the trial?

• The Crown Court, with a judge and a jury
• The Magistrates' Court, with no jury
• The County Court
• A tribunal

Match each court to what it handles

Settling it without a courtroom

In a civil dispute, what happens in mediation?

• A neutral third party helps the two sides reach their own agreement, without a court ruling
• A judge hears the case and imposes a binding verdict
• A jury decides who is at fault
• The police investigate and press charges

Settling civil disputes

Select the TWO true statements about settling civil disputes.

• Tribunals deal with particular types of dispute, such as employment
• Mediation lets the parties settle without a courtroom battle
• Tribunals and mediation are used to try serious crimes
• Mediation always uses a jury of twelve

Why youth courts are different

A Youth Court hears cases against defendants aged 10 to 17. It is a type of magistrates' court, but it works differently from an adult court, because the aim is to help a young person change.

Match each youth-court feature to why it matters

The path of a serious criminal case

Put the stages of a serious criminal case in England and Wales into the correct order.

• A suspect is charged with a serious offence
• The first hearing takes place at the Magistrates' Court
• Because it is serious, the case is sent up to the Crown Court
• A judge manages the trial and a jury decides guilt
• If found guilty, the judge passes sentence

The youth justice system

The age of criminal responsibility in England and Wales is _____. Defendants aged 10 to 17 are usually dealt with in a _____, which is held more _____ than an adult court to protect the young person. Its main aim is _____ rather than simply punishment.

Route the case

Three cases arrive. Choose where each should be dealt with.

• An adult is charged with a very serious assault that must be decided by a jury. Where is it tried?
• Two neighbours are in a small dispute over an unpaid debt and want it settled without a big court battle. What suits best?
• A 15-year-old is charged with an offence. Where will the case normally be heard?

Your turn: compare two courts

Explain the main differences between the Magistrates' Court and the Crown Court. Refer to the seriousness of the cases each hears, who decides the outcome, and their sentencing powers.

• State which court hears less serious cases and which hears serious cases
• Say who decides guilt in each (magistrates vs a judge and jury)
• Compare their sentencing powers (limited vs greater)
• Give a clear example of a case that would go to each court

Which court does what

Be precise about which court does what. Criminal cases split between the Magistrates' Court (less serious, no jury, limited sentences) and the Crown Court (serious, judge and jury, greater powers); civil claims go to the County or High Court, or are settled by a tribunal or mediation. And know exactly why the Youth Court (ages 10 to 17) is different - more private, no jury, and aimed at rehabilitation. State the England-and-Wales boundary exactly: it is a different legal system from Scotland and Northern Ireland, not simply "the UK".