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By the end of this topic, you should be able to:
Before diving into the courts, it is important to understand what a civil case actually is — because civil law and criminal law are very different things.
A criminal case is brought by the state (the government) against a person who has broken the law — for example, someone who has committed theft or assault. The aim is to punish the wrongdoer.
A civil case is completely different. It is a private dispute between two individuals, or between an individual and a business. One side believes that their legal rights have been broken in some way. The aim is usually to get compensation (money) or some other remedy, not to punish.
💡 Think of it this way: If someone punches you in the street, the police might charge them with a criminal offence. But you could also separately sue them in a civil court for compensation for your injuries. These are two separate legal processes.
Civil cases can involve many different areas of law, including:
| Area of Law | What It Covers |
|---|---|
| Contract law | Disputes over agreements — e.g. someone not paying for goods |
| Tort law | Civil wrongs — e.g. someone injuring you through negligence |
| Family law | Divorce, child custody, financial disputes after a relationship ends |
| Employment law | Disputes between employees and employers |
| Company law | Business disputes |
The civil courts are organised in a hierarchy — this means they are arranged in levels, like a pyramid. Lower courts deal with smaller, simpler cases. Higher courts deal with bigger, more complex cases and hear appeals (when someone challenges a decision made by a lower court).
Here is the hierarchy, from bottom to top:
Supreme Court
↑
Court of Appeal (Civil Division)
↑
High Court (three divisions)
↑
County Court
Let's look at each court in detail.
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