ABSTRACT
This chapter locates particular courts within the general hierarchical structure in ascending order of authority. It is essential not just to be aware of the role and powers of the individual courts but also to know the paths of appeal from one court to another within the hierarchy. Magistrates can impose alternative sentences, such as community service orders or probation orders. They can also discharge offenders either conditionally or absolutely. In addition, they can issue compensation orders. Such orders are used not as a means of punishing the offender, but as a way of compensating the victims of the offender without them having to sue the offender in the civil courts. Before considering the two most important civil courts, the County Court and the High Court, it is necessary to have some understanding of the radical way in which civil law procedure has altered in the fairly recent past.
