The Court System and Legal Processes

·         Civil Courts: Handle disputes between individuals or organisations (e.g., negligence claims seeking compensation). Cases proceed through County Courts or the High Court. Burden of proof is ‘on the balance of probabilities’.

·         Criminal Courts: Deal with offences against the state (e.g., assault, gross negligence manslaughter, corporate manslaughter, specific offences under MCA or MHA). Cases proceed through Magistrates’ Courts or the Crown Court. Burden of proof is ‘beyond reasonable doubt’.

·         Coroners’ Courts: Investigate sudden, violent, unnatural deaths, or deaths in state detention. Can make recommendations (‘Prevention of Future Deaths’ reports) to prevent recurrence.

·         Tribunals: Specialist bodies making legally binding decisions in specific areas (e.g., Mental Health Tribunal reviews detention under the MHA; Employment Tribunal hears discrimination cases). Less formal than courts.

·         Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR): Methods like mediation or conciliation used to resolve disputes without going to court. NHS complaints procedures often incorporate elements of ADR.