What Are County Courts?
County Courts are places where legal disputes are resolved. They deal with various civil matters. Here are some examples of what County Courts handle:
- Money Claims: If someone owes you money, you can go to court to get it back.
- Personal Injury Cases: If you were hurt because of someone else’s actions, you can seek compensation.
- Family Matters: This includes issues like divorce and child custody.
- Breach of Contract: If someone does not keep their promise in a contract, you can take them to court.
Courts in Scotland
In Scotland, most of these issues are handled in the Sheriff Court.
Serious Cases
For more serious cases, like when a lot of money is involved:
- In England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, these cases go to the High Court.
- In Scotland, they go to the Court of Session in Edinburgh.
The Small Claims Procedure
The small claims procedure is a simpler way to resolve minor disputes.
Key Features of Small Claims
- Informal Setting: The hearing is held in a regular room, not a formal courtroom.
- Claim Limits:
- In England and Wales, you can claim up to £5,000.
- In Scotland and Northern Ireland, the limit is £3,000.
- No Lawyer Needed: You can represent yourself, which saves money.
- Online Claims: You can also file your claim online at Money Claims Online.
How to Get Help
You can find more information about small claims from your local County Court or Sheriff Court. Here are some useful links:
- England and Wales: www.gov.uk
- Scotland: www.scotcourts.gov.uk
- Northern Ireland: www.courtsni.gov.uk
Questions for Practice
Easy Level Questions
- What do County Courts primarily deal with?
- A) Criminal cases
- B) Civil disputes
- C) Traffic violations
- D) Tax issues
- What is the limit for small claims in England and Wales?
- A) £1,000
- B) £3,000
- C) £5,000
- D) £10,000
- Which court handles serious civil cases in England?
- A) Magistrates’ Court
- B) County Court
- C) High Court
- D) Family Court
- In Scotland, which court deals with minor civil disputes?
- A) High Court
- B) Crown Court
- C) Sheriff Court
- D) Family Court
- How many people usually participate in a small claims hearing?
- A) One
- B) Two
- C) Three
- D) Four
- What type of case would you take to a County Court?
- A) Theft
- B) Personal injury
- C) Murder
- D) Drug offences
- Can you represent yourself in a small claims court?
- A) Yes
- B) No
- C) Only with a lawyer
- D) Only if you are a student
- Where would you find information about your local court in England?
- What is the role of the judge in a small claims case?
- A) To decide the winner
- B) To represent one side
- C) To be a witness
- D) To take notes
- How is a small claims dispute typically resolved?
- A) In front of a jury
- B) Through a written letter
- C) In an informal hearing
- D) By a public vote
Medium Level Questions
- What is the primary aim of the small claims procedure?
- A) To punish offenders
- B) To resolve minor disputes informally
- C) To handle criminal cases
- D) To conduct jury trials
- Which of the following is NOT a civil dispute handled by County Courts?
- A) Divorce
- B) Personal injury
- C) Robbery
- D) Breach of contract
- Where are serious civil cases in Scotland dealt with?
- A) High Court
- B) Sheriff Court
- C) Court of Session
- D) County Court
- What must you do to file a claim online?
- A) Call the court
- B) Visit the court in person
- C) Use Money Claims Online
- D) Hire a lawyer
- How much can you claim in small claims in Scotland?
- A) £1,500
- B) £2,000
- C) £3,000
- D) £4,000
- What is a common type of personal injury case?
- A) Car accident
- B) Theft
- C) Fraud
- D) Trespassing
- Who decides the outcome in a County Court?
- A) The jury
- B) The judge
- C) The audience
- D) The lawyer
- What is a breach of contract?
- A) Not following the law
- B) Not keeping a promise in an agreement
- C) Stealing someone’s property
- D) Causing harm to another person
- If you lose your case in small claims, what might you have to pay?
- A) Your lawyer’s fees
- B) Nothing
- C) The other party’s costs
- D) A fine
- Which court is considered more formal?
- A) County Court
- B) High Court
- C) Sheriff Court
- D) Small Claims Court
Hard Level Questions
- What is the maximum claim amount for small claims in Northern Ireland?
- A) £2,000
- B) £3,000
- C) £5,000
- D) £10,000
- When might a case be moved from a County Court to a High Court?
- A) If the case involves family matters
- B) If the claim amount is large
- C) If the parties are from different countries
- D) If the case is about small claims
- What is the purpose of the small claims procedure?
- A) To ensure everyone has a lawyer
- B) To help people settle disputes quickly and cheaply
- C) To punish offenders severely
- D) To replace the need for a trial
- In what way can you submit a small claim?
- A) By sending an email
- B) In person only
- C) Online or in person
- D) By fax
- If a person is unhappy with the decision made in small claims court, what can they do?
- A) Nothing, the decision is final
- B) Appeal to a higher court
- C) Demand a new hearing with a different judge
- D) Write to the Prime Minister
- What type of claims can be considered small claims?
- A) Only money claims
- B) Only personal injury claims
- C) Minor disputes involving less than £5,000 (or £3,000 in Scotland/Northern Ireland)
- D) All civil claims regardless of amount
- Which of these is a feature of the High Court in England?
- A) Handles only small claims
- B) Deals with serious civil cases
- C) Is less formal than County Courts
- D) Has no judges
- What happens during a small claims hearing?
- A) The judge makes a decision without hearing from either party
- B) Both sides present their case informally
- C) A jury decides the outcome
- D) Only the plaintiff speaks
- Why might someone choose the small claims procedure?
- A) It is always faster than a regular court
- B) It is designed for large corporate disputes
- C) It is cheaper and less formal
- D) It requires no evidence
- What is a Sheriff Court?
- A) A court that deals only with criminal cases
- B) A court in Scotland that handles civil disputes
- C) A type of County Court
- D) A court for high-profile cases
Answers
Easy Level Answers
- B) Civil disputes
- C) £5,000
- C) High Court
- C) Sheriff Court
- B) Two
- B) Personal injury
- A) Yes
- B) www.gov.uk
- A) To decide the winner
- C) In an informal hearing
Medium Level Answers
- B) To resolve minor disputes informally
- C) Robbery
- C) Court of Session
- C) Use Money Claims Online
- C) £3,000
- A) Car accident
- B) The judge
- B) Not keeping a promise in an agreement
- C) The other party’s costs
- B) High Court
Hard Level Answers
- B) £3,000
- B) If the claim amount is large
- B) To help people settle disputes quickly and cheaply
- C) Online or in person
- B) Appeal to a higher court
- C) Minor disputes involving less than £5,000 (or £3,000 in Scotland/Northern Ireland)
- B) Deals with serious civil cases
- B) Both sides present their case informally
- C) It is cheaper and less formal
- B) A court in Scotland that handles civil disputes
