Magistrates Court

The Magistrates Court is the lowest tier of Criminal Court in England and Wales. 95% of cases are completed in these courts.
Magistrates Courts also deal with many civil cases. The court hears all summary cases and cases which can be tried either summarily or on indictment (either-way offences) where the defendant and the court agrees that they should.

Cases in the Magistrates Court are usually heard by a panel of three Magistrates (known as Justices of the Peace, or Lay Magistrates.) These panels are made up of members of the public who are advised by a legally qualified solicitor or barrister known as a Legal Advisor to the Justices. However, some courts have District Judges who are legally qualified Magistrates who sit alone and deal with more complex or sensitive cases, for example cases arising from serious fraud.

Criminal cases involving children and young persons will be heard separately in Juvenile Courts.

Crown Court

The Crown Court deals with the most serious criminal cases such as murder and rape, as well as those 'either-way' cases transferred from the Magistrates’ Court. It also hears appeals against decisions of the Magistrates Court as well as cases sent for sentencing from Magistrates Courts.

Trials are heard by a Judge and a 12-person jury. The jury is directed on matters of law by the Judge but makes the decision as to guilt or innocence.
 The Judge in a Crown Court will either be a High Court Judge, a Circuit Judge, or a Recorder (a part-time Judge)

Court of Appeal (Criminal Division)

The Court of Appeal, which sits in London at the Royal Courts of Justice, consists of two Divisions; The Civil Division and The Criminal Division.
The Court of Appeal is the highest court within the Supreme Court of Judicature.
The Criminal Division hears appeals from the Crown Court, and cases are generally heard by a ‘bench’ of three Judges, usually a Lord or Lady Justice and two High Court Judges.