Courts of Northern Ireland

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Northern Ireland
This article is part of the series: Politics and government of Northern Ireland
In Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland Assembly MLA Committees List of Acts Members: 2007 - 2003 - 1998 Elections: 2007 - 2003 - 1998 Northern Ireland Executive First Minister and deputy First Minister Departments Executives: First - Suspended - Second Northern Ireland Policing Board Parades Commission
In the United Kingdom
United Kingdom Parliament Committees: Affairs - Grand Members: Commons - Lords - Privy Council Elections: 2005 United Kingdom Government Northern Ireland Office Secretary of State • Direct Rule
In the European Union
European Union Parliament MEP Members: 2004 - 1999 Elections: 2004 - 1999
Related political parties
Designated Unionist Democratic Unionist Party Ulster Unionist Party Progressive Unionist Party Conservatives Traditional Unionist Voice Designated Nationalist Sinn Féin Social Democratic and Labour Party Fianna Fáil Designated Other Alliance Party Green Party
Related bodies
North/South Ministerial Council British-Irish Council British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference Civic Forum for Northern Ireland
See also
St Andrews Agreement (2006) Belfast Agreement (1998) Segregation in Northern Ireland Elections in Northern Ireland Constituencies Political parties
Other countries · Atlas  Politics Portal view • talk • edit

The Courts of Northern Ireland are the civil and criminal courts responsible for the administration of justice in Northern Ireland; they are constituted and governed by Northern Ireland law.

The United Kingdom does not have a single unified judicial system — England and Wales have one system, Scotland another, and Northern Ireland a third. There are exceptions to this rule, for example in immigration law, the Asylum and Immigration Tribunal's jurisdiction covers the whole of the United Kingdom, while in employment law there is a single system of Employment Tribunals for England, Wales, and Scotland (but not Northern Ireland).

In order to overcome problems resulting from the intimidation of jurors and witnesses, the right to a jury trial in Northern Ireland was suspended for certain terrorist offences in 1972, and the so-called "Diplock courts" were introduced to try people charged with paramilitary activities.

Administration of the Courts is the responsibility of the Northern Ireland Court Service.

Contents 1 House of Lords 2 The Supreme Court of Judicature 2.1 Court of Appeal 2.2 High Court 2.3 Crown Court 3 County Courts 4 Subordinate courts 5 References 6 External links

[edit] House of Lords

The House of Lords is the highest court of appeal in Northern Ireland. In practice, only the Law Lords hear the appeals. It was abolished by the Supreme Court of Judicature Act 1873, but an election was held before the act came into force, and the new Parliament passed the Supreme Court of Judicature Act 1875 which amended the first Act to preserve the House of Lords' judicial function. The Constitutional Reform Act 2005 will transfer these functions to the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom.

[edit] The Supreme Court of Judicature

The Supreme Court is now constituted by the Judicature (Northern Ireland) Act 1978. It is the most important superior court of Northern Ireland. It consists of the following courts^[1]:

• The Court of Appeal ("Her Majesty’s Court of Appeal in Northern Ireland")
• The High Court ("Her Majesty’s High Court of Justice in Northern Ireland")
• The Crown Court ("Her Majesty’s Crown Court in Northern Ireland")

When all the provisions of the Constitutional Reform Act 2005 come into force the Supreme Court of Judicature will become known as the Court of Judicature. This change is being made consequent to the establishment of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom by that Act.

[edit] Court of Appeal

The Court of Appeal in Northern Ireland is highest court specifically of Northern Ireland. Appeal from the Court of Appeal lies to the House of Lords. The Court of Appeal hears appeals from the Crown Court, High Court, county courts, courts of summary jurisdiction and tribunals.

[edit] High Court

The High Court in Northern Ireland is, like its English equivalent, split into three divisions: Queen's Bench Division, Family Division and Chancery Division. The High Court is located in the Royal Courts of Justice, Belfast.

[edit] Crown Court

The Crown Court in Northern Ireland hears more serious criminal cases. These are indictable offences and "either way" offences which are committed for trial in the Crown Court rather than the magistrates' courts.

[edit] County Courts

The County Courts are the main civil courts. While higher value cases are heard in the High Court, the county courts hear a wide range of civil actions, consumer claims, and appeals from magistrate's courts. There are 7 county court divisions in Northern Ireland.

[edit] Subordinate courts

Below the High Court are several classes of courts. Magistrates' Courts (including Youth Courts and Family Proceedings Courts) hear less serious criminal cases and conduct preliminary hearings in more serious criminal cases. They are divided into 21 Petty Sessions Districts. The Crown Court hears all serious criminal cases which are committed to trial.

Additionally, there is the Enforcement of Judgments Office, and Coroners' Courts which investigate the circumstances of sudden, violent or unnatural deaths.

[edit] References

1. ^ Section 1, Judicature (Northern Ireland) Act 1978

[edit] External links

• Organisation of justice in Northern Ireland (pdf)
• The Court Structure in Northern Ireland (pdf)

This article or section includes a list of references or external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks in-text citations. You can improve this article by introducing more precise citations.