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

• July 17, 2026

  R -v- X, Y and Z (follow on judgment)

• July 24, 2026

  Fuschillo and others -v- Johnson and Johnson and others

• July 24, 2026

  R -v- Tony Lee Bartlett

• July 24, 2026

  In the matter of contempt proceedings against Rajiv Menon KC

Latest news

• July 17, 2026

  Response to recommendations for the judiciary in the Independent Review of the Criminal Courts

  Read the summary of the judicial response to Sir Brian Leveson’s recommendations regarding Criminal Courts

• July 24, 2026

  President of the King’s Bench Division in conversation with Chair of the Bar

  Dame Victoria Sharp DBE looks back on the defining moments of her career, how the courts have changed over the years, and the future challenges facing the justice system

• July 24, 2026

  Message from the PFD: Family Listing Guidance update

  Read the update from Sir Stephen Cobb, President of the Family Division and Head of Family Justice. The guidance will help family judges in their role

• July 23, 2026

  Circuit Judge – Death in Service

  Information on the death in service of a Judge

Find out more

Business and Property Courts

Specialist courts which decide business, commercial, property and other chancery disputes and 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 Chancery.

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