The Structure of the courts in Northern Ireland 

The House of Lords
The House of Lords is the final Court of Appeal in the United Kingdom and hears appeals on points of law in cases of major importance. 

The Court of Appeal
The Court of Appeal sits at the Royal Courts of Justice in Belfast. There are 4 judges of the Court of Appeal including the Lord Chief Justice, who is the President. The Court of Appeal hears appeals in civil matters from the High Court and in criminal matters from the Crown Court. It also hears appeals on points of law from the county courts, magistrates’ courts and certain tribunals. A Court of Appeal case will usually be heard by 3 judges.  

The High Court
In Northern Ireland civil justice is administered mainly by the High Court and the county courts. The High Court handles cases with amounts of greater value or certain complex cases or applications, such as judicial review, while the county courts deal with cases of lesser value.

Crown Court
In ordinary criminal cases (those that do not involve terrorist-type offences), if a defendant pleads not guilty, a jury of 12 men and women (members of the public) decides whether he or she is guilty.

There is no jury in cases that involve terrorist-type offences and only the judge decides whether the defendant is guilty or not. In both types of case, only the judge decides the sentence. In certain circumstances the defendant may appeal to the Court of Appeal.

County Court
County courts are where everyday civil disputes are heard. Typical cases involve the recovery of debts, trespass or negligence. A judge decides on the outcome. The county court also hears appeals from the magistrates’ courts. The judge listens to the evidence and decides whether he or she agrees with the District Judge (Magistrates' Courts) conviction and the sentence.

Small Claims Court
Small claims courts are designed to allow certain types of small claims to be decided informally in the county court, usually without the need for a solicitor or barrister. A district judge decides these claims. The method of dealing with the case is known as ‘arbitration’. The person making the claim is called the ‘applicant’ and the person who the claim is being made against is called the ‘respondent’.

Magistrates’ Court
All criminal cases - even the most serious, such as murder - are first heard in the magistrates’ court. Although many cases are entirely dealt with by a magistrates’ court, the more serious ones are sent or committed to a Crown Court to be heard. In some cases the defendant can decide whether their case should be heard by a District Judge (Magistrates' Courts) or in a Crown Court. In a magistrates’ court the District Judge (Magistrates' Courts) listens to the evidence and decides whether the person accused of the offence (the defendant) is guilty and, if so, fixes the sentence.

Youth Court
The youth court hears cases involving people aged between 10 and 17inclusive. For those aged under 16, a parent, guardian or social worker is asked to attend. There are tight restrictions on the public attending, and the press reporting, youth court proceedings.

Coroners’ Court
There are seven coroners’ districts in Northern Ireland. Coroners inquire into deaths reported to them that appear to be unexpected or unexplained; as a result of violence or an accident; as a result of negligence; or from any cause other than natural illness or disease. A coroner may consider it is necessary to hold an inquest into a particular death, and he or she may also direct a post-mortem examination. This may be followed by the holding of a formal inquest, which may either be presided over by the coroner only or by a coroner with the assistance of a jury. The purpose of an inquest is to establish how, when and where the death occurred. An inquest does not decide questions of criminal or civil liability.

Enforcement of Judgments Office
The Enforcement of Judgments Office (EJO) enforces court orders. The EJO also provides the following services:

• Gives access to search the public register of judgments.

• Issues Notices of Intention -warning debtors that their debt may be lodged for full enforcement if it is not fully paid within 10 days.

• Provides creditors with reports as to the assets and liabilities of the debtors they are enforcing against.

• Makes appropriate court orders to recover the debt.