Courts in England and Wales – a guide
England and Wales have a shared court system, run by HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS). Wales does, however, have some of its own laws – e.g. on renting homes (Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016, from 1.12.2022).
What courts are there
- Magistrates’ Court – minor offences (e.g. motoring), some family cases.
- Crown Court – serious offences, often with a jury.
- County Court – civil cases: debts, compensation, tenancies.
- Family Court – divorce, children, maintenance.
- High Court – major civil cases (King’s Bench, Chancery and Family divisions; Business and Property Courts).
- Court of Appeal → UK Supreme Court – appeals.
- Employment Tribunal – employment cases (dismissal, unpaid wages, discrimination).
What a dispute is worth – County Court tracks
| Track | Claim value |
|---|---|
| Small claims | up to £10,000 |
| Fast track | up to £25,000 |
| Intermediate track | up to £100,000 |
| Multi-track | above / complex cases |
A small claim can be made online: gov.uk – Make a court claim for money.
Addresses of selected courts
- Royal Courts of Justice (High Court, Court of Appeal) – Strand, London WC2A 2LL · map
- Rolls Building (Business and Property Courts) – Fetter Lane, London EC4A 1NL
- Central Family Court – First Avenue House, 42–49 High Holborn, London WC1V 6NP
- Old Bailey (Central Criminal Court) – London EC4M 7EH
- London Tribunals Centre (Employment Tribunal) – 7 Newgate Street, London EC1A 7AZ
- Manchester Civil Justice Centre – 1 Bridge Street West, M60 9DJ · map
- Birmingham Civil and Family Justice Centre – 33 Bull Street, B4 6DS
- Leeds Combined Court – 1 Oxford Row, LS1 3BG
- Bristol Civil and Family Justice Centre – 2 Redcliff Street, BS1 6GR
- Liverpool Civil and Family Court – 35 Vernon Street, L2 2BX
- Cardiff Civil and Family Justice Centre – 2 Park Street, CF10 1ET · map
- Swansea Civil Justice Centre – Quay West, Quay Parade, SA1 1SP
- UK Supreme Court – Parliament Square, London SW1P 3BD
Search all courts: Find a court or tribunal (gov.uk).
What to do
- Do not ignore letters from a court – deadlines are short (often 14 days).
- Check whether you are entitled to free help: Free legal aid.
- In employment cases, ACAS Early Conciliation is compulsory first.
- You have the right to an interpreter in court – ask for one in advance.
General information, not legal advice. Every case is different – check your situation with a solicitor or Citizens Advice. Data as at 22 October 2026. Limits and rates change – always confirm them on the official website given below.
© THE BUSINESS TIME / Argonauts Media Group Limited. Newsroom guide. Copying without the publisher’s permission is prohibited.
