Courts & Tribunals Directory
The forum that handles your matter determines the rules, forms, deadlines, and fees. Pick a court or tribunal to see what it handles, what it doesn't, the process to engage it, and where appeals go.
Courts (9)
Supreme Court of the United Kingdom
The final court of appeal for civil cases across the UK and for criminal cases from England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Court of Appeal (England & Wales)
Senior appellate court of England and Wales, with a Civil Division and a Criminal Division.
High Court of Justice
Three Divisions (King's Bench, Chancery, Family) hearing significant first-instance civil claims and appeals.
County Court
Hears most civil money claims and possession claims under £100,000 in England and Wales.
Magistrates' Court
Hears the majority of criminal cases (summary and either-way) and many family and youth matters.
Crown Court
Tries serious criminal offences before a judge and jury, and hears appeals from the Magistrates' Court.
Family Court
Single national court for most family proceedings in England and Wales, dealing with divorce, children, and domestic abuse.
Court of Protection
Decides on the welfare, property, and finances of people who lack mental capacity, under the Mental Capacity Act 2005.
Coroner's Court
Investigates sudden, unexplained, violent, or unnatural deaths and certain treasure finds.
Tribunals (10)
Employment Tribunal
Independent tribunal hearing employment law claims including unfair dismissal, discrimination, and unlawful deductions.
Employment Appeal Tribunal
Hears appeals from the Employment Tribunal on points of law only.
First-tier Tribunal
Statutory tribunal with multiple Chambers hearing immigration, social security, tax, property, and other appeals.
Upper Tribunal
Senior appellate tribunal hearing appeals from the First-tier Tribunal and exercising judicial-review-like powers.
SEND Tribunal (First-tier — HESC)
Hears parental appeals against local authority decisions on Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND).
Immigration and Asylum Chamber (First-tier)
Hears appeals against Home Office decisions on immigration, asylum, and human rights claims.
Property Chamber (First-tier Tribunal)
Resolves disputes about residential property, leasehold, park homes, and the Land Registry.
Social Entitlement Chamber (First-tier Tribunal)
Hears appeals about benefits, tax credits, child support, and compensation schemes.
Mental Health Tribunal (First-tier — HESC)
Reviews detention under the Mental Health Act 1983 and considers applications by patients and nearest relatives.
Traffic Penalty Tribunal
Independent tribunal hearing appeals against council Penalty Charge Notices (parking, bus lane, moving traffic) outside London.
Ombudsmans (8)
Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS)
Free, independent service for resolving complaints between consumers and financial businesses.
Housing Ombudsman Service
Free, independent dispute resolution for social housing tenants and (under the Social Housing Regulation Act 2023) most private leaseholders.
Legal Ombudsman
Resolves complaints about the service provided by lawyers regulated in England and Wales.
Local Government & Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO)
Investigates complaints about councils and adult social care providers in England.
Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO)
Independent service for complaints about UK government departments, agencies, and the NHS in England.
Pensions Ombudsman
Handles complaints about workplace and personal pensions, including disputes about benefits, transfers, and pension trustees.
Parking on Private Land Appeals (POPLA)
Independent appeals service for parking charges issued by British Parking Association (BPA) members.
Independent Appeals Service (IAS)
Independent appeals service for parking charges issued by International Parking Community (IPC) members.
Regulators (14)
Information Commissioner's Office (ICO)
UK regulator for data protection and freedom of information — handles complaints, takes enforcement action, and issues fines for breaches.
Ofcom
Regulates UK communications: broadcasting, telecoms, postal services, video-sharing platforms, and (since 2023) online safety.
Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)
Regulates the conduct of nearly 50,000 financial services firms and protects consumers, market integrity, and competition.
Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA)
Regulates solicitors and law firms in England and Wales — sets professional standards and investigates misconduct.
Bar Standards Board (BSB)
Regulates barristers and specialised legal services bodies in England and Wales.
Competition and Markets Authority (CMA)
UK competition watchdog: investigates anti-competitive conduct, mergers, and unfair consumer practices.
Advertising Standards Authority (ASA)
Independent regulator of advertising across all media in the UK; applies the CAP and BCAP Codes.
Ofgem
Regulates gas and electricity markets in Great Britain and protects energy consumers.
Charity Commission for England and Wales
Registers and regulates charities in England and Wales, holds the Register of Charities, and investigates serious wrongdoing.
Companies House
Executive agency that incorporates and dissolves limited companies, examines and stores company information, and (post-ECCTA 2023) verifies director identity.
Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
GB regulator for workplace health and safety; enforces the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.
Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA)
Maintains the GB register of drivers and vehicles, issues licences, and handles driver medical and tachograph matters.
Care Quality Commission (CQC)
Independent regulator of health and adult social care in England — registers, inspects, and rates providers.
Ofwat
Economic regulator for water and sewerage companies in England and Wales.