# Travel >> Destinations >> United Kingdom

Does the UK Have a Judicial Branch? Yes—Here's How It Works

The United Kingdom has a distinct, independent judicial branch operating under the principle of separation of powers. While the UK lacks a single written constitution, judicial independence is enshrined in law (Constitutional Reform Act 2005) and convention.

Court Structure (England & Wales — Scotland and NI have separate systems)

Criminal Courts

Magistrates' Courts: Summary offenses, some either-way, initial hearings. Lay magistrates or district judges.
Crown Court: Indictable offenses (murder, robbery, serious fraud). Jury trials. Circuit judges, Recorders, High Court judges.

Civil Courts

County Courts: Lower-value civil claims, family, bankruptcy.
High Court: Complex/high-value cases. Three divisions: King's Bench (public law, contracts, torts), Chancery (property, IP, trusts), Family.

Appellate Courts

Court of Appeal: Civil and Criminal Divisions. Binding on lower courts.
Supreme Court of the United Kingdom: Final court of appeal for all UK civil cases, and criminal cases from England, Wales, NI. 12 justices. Established 2009 (replaced Appellate Committee of House of Lords).

Scotland & Northern Ireland

Scotland: Separate system (Sheriff Courts, Court of Session, High Court of Justiciary). Supreme Court hears civil appeals only.
Northern Ireland: Similar structure to England; Supreme Court is final appeal.

Key Features

Judicial appointments: Independent Judicial Appointments Commission (merit-based).
Security of tenure: Judges serve until mandatory retirement (70/75); removable only for misconduct by both Houses of Parliament.
Legal profession: Split (England/Wales): barristers (advocacy) and solicitors (advisory/transactional). Fused in Scotland.
Jury trials: Crown Court criminal cases (12 jurors, majority verdicts allowed).
Precedent (stare decisis): Lower courts bound by higher courts' decisions.
Judicial review: Courts review legality of executive/administrative actions.