The Courts of Northern Ireland

What the The Courts of Northern Ireland does

The Magistrates' Courts hear summary criminal cases, deal with the early stages of more serious ones, and handle a family caseload. The County Court decides civil claims including the small claims procedure for values up to £5,000, together with a range of family and property business. The Crown Court hears serious criminal trials with a jury. Above them sit the High Court and the Court of Appeal in Belfast, and civil and criminal appeals may ultimately reach the UK Supreme Court.

What it hears

• Small claims up to £5,000 through the County Court
• Civil claims, family and property business in the County Court
• Summary criminal cases and committals in the Magistrates' Courts
• Serious criminal trials with a jury in the Crown Court
• Appeals to the High Court and Court of Appeal in Belfast

Before your first court date

For a small claim, write to the other side first with the amount, the reason and a deadline, then apply online through the Civil Processing Centre. The fee depends on the amount claimed, and a successful claimant normally recovers it while an unsuccessful one does not. Name the respondent precisely, and remember that a County Court judgment against a business or individual can affect credit standing. In criminal matters, get advice before the first hearing — free legal advice at the police station applies in Northern Ireland too.

What happens at your first appearance

Undefended small claims are processed on the papers and a decree can follow quickly. If the claim is defended it transfers to a local court office for hearing, where the procedure is informal and the district judge will ask questions of both sides directly. Criminal first appearances deal with plea, legal aid and bail, and the case is either dealt with summarily or sent to the Crown Court.

What to prepare

• The contract, invoices, receipts and messages, organised by date
• A one-page chronology of what happened
• Photographs or independent evidence of defect, damage or value
• The exact legal name and address of the person or business you are claiming against
• Your pre-action letter and any reply

When to get legal advice

This page is general legal information, not legal advice. Because Northern Ireland's rules, limits and forms differ from those in England and Wales, guidance found online is often simply wrong for your case — checking the position for your jurisdiction is worth the call. Legal Hotline's free line explains the process any hour on 0800 007 4103, and a one-hour consultation with a UK solicitor (£145, a fixed fee) can be booked right on the call.

Where it is

Official sources