Going to court can be an unfamiliar and sometimes daunting experience. Understanding who the different people are within the court system, and the role they play, can help make the process easier to understand.
Below is a simple guide to some of the key people you may come across in the court system.
Circuit Judge
Circuit Judges sit in the Crown Court and County Court and, in some circumstances, may also sit in the High Court.
They generally deal with more serious and complex cases and are more senior than District Judges and Recorders.
Circuit Judges are also able to hear a wide range of cases across different areas of law. Decisions made by Circuit Judges can, where appropriate, be appealed to a higher court.
Recorder
Recorders are part-time judges who can sit in both the Crown Court and County Court.
They can deal with a range of cases, including those involving more serious or complex issues. Recorders are usually experienced lawyers who have been appointed to sit as judges on a part-time basis.
District Judge
District Judges are full-time judges who deal with a large proportion of cases in the County Court.
They hear a wide range of civil and family cases and can make decisions and orders relating to the matters before them.
Deputy District Judge
A Deputy District Judge carries out many of the same functions as a District Judge.
The main difference is that Deputy District Judges are part-time judges, whereas District Judges are appointed to sit on a full-time basis.
Deputy District Judges can hear a range of civil and family matters and may deal with cases at different stages of the court process.
Magistrates
Magistrates are members of the public who volunteer to serve as magistrates. They are not usually
legally qualified and are assisted by a legal adviser, who provides guidance on matters of law and procedure.
Magistrates generally sit as a panel, usually consisting of three magistrates, and can deal with a range of criminal and family matters.
In most cases, decisions are made by a majority, meaning that two of the three magistrates can reach a decision without requiring all three to agree.
Jury
A jury is made up of members of the public who are selected at random and may be required to undertake jury service.
Jurors are not judges and do not usually have legal qualifications. Their role is to consider the evidence presented during a trial and reach a verdict based on that evidence.
In a Crown Court criminal trial, a jury normally consists of 12 people.
The jury is responsible for deciding whether the defendant is guilty or not guilty. The judge is responsible
for managing the trial, dealing with legal issues and, where appropriate, passing sentence.
A jury will normally seek to reach a unanimous verdict. In certain circumstances, however, the court may accept a majority verdict, subject to the applicable legal requirements.
