What is the High Court?

The High Court is where more complex cases and appeals are handled. It’s the next level up from the County Court and deals with serious civil disputes, judicial reviews, and appeals. Generally, cases in the High Court are heard by one judge, and juries only sit in libel cases and actions against the police.

The Three Divisions of the High Court

The High Court is divided into three specialist sections, each handling different types of cases:

1. King’s Bench Division

This division deals with:

• Habeas corpus (cases involving personal liberty violations)

• Judicial reviews (checking whether government or public bodies acted lawfully)

• Civil disputes (e.g., contractual claims and personal injury cases)

2. Chancery Division

This division covers legal matters related to:

• Estates of deceased persons

• Bankruptcy

• Copyright and intellectual property

• Guardianship

• Sale of land and mortgages

• Business disputes (e.g., partnerships, patents, and trademarks)

3. Family Division

This division handles sensitive family-related cases, including:

• Wardship and guardianship

• Adoption

• Matrimonial actions (e.g., divorce cases)

• Non-contentious probate actions (e.g., wills and inheritance disputes)

Why Use the High Court?

The High Court provides a higher level of judicial expertise for complex legal disputes. It ensures that major cases, appeals, and specialist legal matters receive the attention they require. If your case is too big for the County Court, the High Court is the next step!