The Court Hierarchy

What are the roles of the different courts?

Why is it important to have a court hierarchy?

Court HierarchyO A ranking of the courts from the

lowest to the highest

O Why is it important to have a court hierarchy?

Your Responses

There are many reasons for a Court Hierarchy…

O Specialisation – it allows judges and magistrates to gain greater skills and expertise in the particular matters they hear and promotes consistency in decision-making

O Convenience – it makes sense to have cases of a similar nature being heard by the same court. It also provides a more efficient use of resources.

O Appeals – a hierarchy allows the decision of a court lower in the system to be reviewed on appeal, if necessary, by a higher court. This appeals process promotes fairness.

O Precedent – precedent means the use of past decisions in determining current cases. Usually only the higher courts set precedent, which is followed by lower courts. This relies heavily on the existence of a hierarchy.

Drink driving and speeding

Stabbing a person in a fight, resulting in

death

Theft of a motor car worth $800

An appeal from the Supreme Court of Victoria involving a criminal matter

OMr Incredible Hulk is charged with the murder of Mr Clark Kent

OMr Stephen Hawking is charged with failure to pay a parking fine

Miss Lisa Simpson is charged with armed robbery

OMs Angelina Jolie is charged with fraud of $70 000

OMr T trespasses onto Ms Beyonce Knowles’ property and causes damage of $4000

OMiss Miley Cyrus is found with the possession of heroin to the value of $25 000

OMr Post M. Pat works at a hotel, and embezzles $200 000 of the yearly takings