The four tiers
The highest court is at the top. A case starts at the bottom and moves up only if someone appeals.
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Tier 4
Constitutional Court
Deals only with constitutional matters and is the final word on what the Constitution means.
↑ Constitutional matters only: these are for the Constitutional Court
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Tier 3
Supreme Court
The final court of appeal for cases that do not involve the Constitution.
↑ Appeals from an Appellate Court go to the Supreme Court
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Tier 2
Appellate Courts
Regional courts of appeal that review decisions made by the courts below them.
↑ Appeals from a District Court go to the Appellate Courts
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Tier 1
District Courts
Original jurisdiction for most cases. Civil and criminal trials are heard here.
Each court in detail
Tier 1
District Courts
Original jurisdiction for most cases. Civil and criminal trials are heard here.
What it deals with
- Most cases, when they first come to court
- Civil cases, such as disputes between people or organisations
- Criminal trials
Appeals
Appeals from a District Court go to the Appellate Courts
Tier 2
Appellate Courts
Regional courts of appeal that review decisions made by the courts below them.
What it deals with
- Appeals against decisions made in the District Courts
- Reviewing whether a lower court reached the right decision
Appeals
Appeals from an Appellate Court go to the Supreme Court
Tier 3
Supreme Court
The final court of appeal for cases that do not involve the Constitution.
What it deals with
- Appeals from the Appellate Courts
- Making sure the law is applied the same way across the whole country
Appeals
Constitutional matters only: these are for the Constitutional Court
Tier 4
Constitutional Court
Deals only with constitutional matters and is the final word on what the Constitution means.
What it deals with
- Constitutional matters, and nothing else
- Deciding finally how the Constitution should be interpreted
Appeals
This is a court of final appeal. Its decisions are not appealed to another court.
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How a case moves up
- A case starts in a District Court, which hears the evidence and makes a decision.
- If someone thinks that decision was wrong, they can appeal to an Appellate Court.
- The Appellate Court reviews the decision. A further appeal goes to the Supreme Court.
- For cases that do not involve the Constitution, the Supreme Court's decision is final.
- Constitutional matters are decided by the Constitutional Court, whose interpretation of the Constitution is final.
Who decides cases
Rulings in the courts of Links Land are currently generated by artificial intelligence. Find out why, and what will change, on The Judiciary.
What law the courts apply
The courts apply statute law, which is set out in Acts, and common law, which is unwritten. How the Law Works explains the difference.
