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Judicial Precedent

The hierarchy of the courts

  • 4 things to know
  • Component 2

Overview

Recall questions on stare decisis and why it depends on the court hierarchy, the civil and criminal hierarchies from the County Court and Magistrates' Court up to the Supreme Court, and the appeal routes between them.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

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Key term

What is the status of the Supreme Court within the UK court system, and what effect do its decisions have?

Key term

What does the Latin phrase 'stare decisis' mean, and what principle does it describe?

Key term

In the civil court hierarchy, which court sits at the lowest level?

Key term

In criminal matters, which court hears appeals from the Crown Court?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    What does the Latin phrase 'stare decisis' mean, and what principle does it describe?

    Model answer

    Stare decisis means 'to stand by things decided' and describes the principle that courts should follow decisions made in previous similar cases.

  2. 2

    In the civil court hierarchy, which court sits at the lowest level?

    Model answer

    The County Court.

  3. 3

    Which court sits immediately above the County Court in the civil hierarchy?

    Model answer

    The High Court.

  4. 4

    Which court is the highest in the civil court hierarchy?

    Model answer

    The Supreme Court.

  5. 5

    What is the lowest court in the criminal court hierarchy?

    Model answer

    The Magistrates' Court.

  6. 6

    Which court sits above the Magistrates' Court in the criminal hierarchy?

    Model answer

    The Crown Court.

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