Judges, magistrates and tribunal members sit in many jurisdictions, and the way in which court proceedings are conducted across these jurisdictions can be very different.
Judicial Roles in Court
This section will help to explain what judges, magistrates and tribunal members do when sitting in a judicial capacity.
The roles of all three differ in many ways. A criminal judge or magistrate can imprison an individual if they are found guilty of an offence. However, those who hear civil and family cases will often be trying to resolve difficulties between parties, perhaps by awarding compensation or making a legally binding order for the parties to behave in a particular way.
But, there are common themes as well - all judges are impartial, independent and their role is to reach a judgment based on the facts of a case.
Crown Court - Crime
A circuit judge in a Crown Court presides over criminal trials for more serious offences and is responsible for all matters of law and making sure that all the rules of procedure are properly applied. Read more about Crown Court - Crime.
County Court - Civil
Civil cases involve hearings in open court which the public may attend; hearings in the judge's private room from which the public are excluded; and matters decided by the judge in private but on the basis of the papers alone, without any attendances by the parties or their legal representatives. Read more about County Court - Civil.
County Court - Family
The family courts mainly with two sorts of work - private cases involving parents and their children and public work when local councils take action to remove children from their parents' care because they are being hurt in some way. Read more about County Court - Family.
Magistrates' court
Criminal cases are usually heard in open court. In the Magistrates' Court there is no jury and the magistrates sit as a panel with a legal adviser to advise on matters of law. Magistrates hear less serious criminal cases including motoring offences, they also hear civil and family work, as well as Youth Court cases. In addition salaried (or full-time) district judges also sit in the Magistrates' court, dealing with the more complex or serious cases. Read more about Magistrates' courts.
Tribunals
Tribunals form part of the civil justice system. Most tribunal cases are heard in open court and the public may attend. There are many different types of tribunal, each with a focus on a specific area of law, for example employment law, or immigration cases. Read more about Tribunals.