Who are the Judiciary?

• Independence
• Impartiality
• Integrity

The judiciary is made up of judges, magistrates, tribunal members, and coroners.

Together, they uphold the rule of law.

Judges and other members of the judiciary oversee cases, in different types of courts and tribunals and in different areas of law across the country.

Find out more

Latest judgments

• November 11, 2026

  G (A Child: Leave to Oppose Adoption)

• November 9, 2026

  R -v- Russell Brand

• November 9, 2026

  R -v- Kieran Kyle

• November 9, 2026

  Salford City Council -v- The Mother, Father and B

Latest news

• November 5, 2026

  Lady Chief Justice’s Annual Report 2026 / Adroddiad Blynyddol yr Arglwyddes Brif Ustus 2026

  Read more about the work of judges and magistrates in the Lady Chief Justice’s third annual report / Darllenwch fwy am waith barnwyr ac ynadon yn nhrydydd adroddiad blynyddol yr Arglwyddes Brif Ustus

• November 6, 2026

  Speech by Mrs Justice Joanna Smith: Artificial Intelligence and Expert Evidence – Opportunities, Risks and Responsibilities

  The interim Deputy President of the Business and Property Division delivered her speech at the Bond Solon Annual Expert Witness Conference at Church House in Westminster

• November 6, 2026

  Watch the webinar about new guidance and materials for short notice applications in public law family cases

  Watch the webinar recording of the President of the Family Division via the YouTube link. The guidance and materials take immediate effect

• November 3, 2026

  Tax Tribunals Users Group

  The Tax Tribunal Users Group is a forum for tax professions to engage with the Upper Tribunal Tax and Chancery Chamber and the First-Tier Tribunal Tax Chamber

Find out more

Business and Property Courts

Specialist courts which decide business, commercial, property, technology and construction disputes, both domestic and international.

Court of Appeal

The Court of Appeal deals exclusively with people challenging the decisions made by other courts or tribunals. It has two divisions, Criminal and Civil (the latter also hears family appeals).

High Court

The High Court hears the most serious administrative, civil and family cases. It has three divisions – King’s Bench, Family and Business and Property.

Tribunals

The Tribunals are specialist judicial bodies whose judges and members hear a wide range of cases, such as tax, employment, and immigration and asylum. The Upper Tribunal and Employment Appeal Tribunal hear appeals challenging some tribunal decisions.

See more courts and tribunals

Magistrates’ courts

Magistrates, or Justices of the Peace as they are also known, are trained, volunteer members of the local community who make decisions in criminal and family cases in Magistrates’ courts and the Family Court. The most complex cases in Magistrates’ courts are heard by District Judges who are legally qualified specialists.

Coroners’ courts

Coroners investigate certain deaths which are deemed to be unnatural, violent, or where the cause is unknown.

Popular links

Family Justice Council

Civil Justice Council

Appointments and retirements

Court of Appeal live hearings