The Courts

The Crown Court (criminal court)

Staffed by fully qualified and experienced judges, all major cities in England and Wales have a Crown Court. The nearest Crown Courts to College can be found in Manchester, in Crown Square and on Minshull Street.

The Crown Court hears serious criminal cases, including murder, manslaughter, rape, riot as well as theft and fraud involving considerable sums of money.

The verdict in a Crown Court is not delivered by the judge, but instead by a group of twelve members of the public known as the jury. Once they have decided whether the defendant is guilty or not guilty, the judge then passes sentence. If found guilty, defendants can face the maximum sentence possible by any court in England and Wales, that of life imprisonment. The Crown Court can also fine defendants as well as some community sentences (probation, community service, curfews etc), although these are unlikely in a court hearing as serious matters.

This is the most junior of all the criminal courts and hears 96% of all criminal cases. Magistrates’ Courts can be found in most towns and cities throughout England and Wales. The nearest Magistrates’ Court to College can be found next to the Spindles in Oldham. There are also Magistrates’ Courts in Ashton, Rochdale and Manchester.

The Court is staffed by either three lay magistrates (people without legal training) or one District Judge (a legally qualified person).

The Magistrates’ Court deals with minor criminal offences including minor thefts, assaults and speeding offences. The court can sentence those found guilty to a maximum of six months imprisonment or a £5,000 fine, as well as some community sentences (probation, community service, curfews etc).

Although largely a criminal court, the Magistrates’ Court has very limited civil power. It deals with matters relating to divorce including custody of children and property matters, but not the divorce itself, as well as the renewal of alcohol and gaming licences for pubs/clubs and betting shops respectively.

Staffed by fully qualified Circuit Judges, County Courts are located in most towns and cities throughout England and Wales.

This is the most junior of all the civil courts and deals with minor civil disputes including straightforward divorce cases, minor personal injuries and business disputes which don’t involve a lot of money.

County Court decisions are delivered by the judge, and will usually involve the losing party paying compensation to the winning party.