Read the text to fulfil the tasks. The civil court structure is two-tiered, just as are criminal courts, and comprises two types of court: High county court and the High Court

The civil court structure is two-tiered, just as are criminal courts, and comprises two types of court: High county court and the High Court. The main difference between the two is that most minor claims up to £5,000 can be dealt with in the county court, whereas a range of more expensive and complicated cases are decided in the High Court. Some civil matters can also be heard by High Court judges sitting in the Crown court, and by magistrates in the magistrates' court.

County Courts

England and Wales are now divided into 270 districts with a county court for each district and a county court or circuit judgehaving responsibility for a number of courts. The county court is presided over by a paid judge, who almost always sits alone, although he may sit with a jury consisting of eight persons, if either party wishes it and the court makes an order to that effect. The judge is assisted by a registrar, who is usually a solicitor. The registrar hears cases and is normally in administrative charge of the court office.

As has been mentioned above, the county court can only deal with relatively minor matters that involve small amounts of money to be awarded. The jurisdiction of the county courts is limited, and covers, for example, actions for the recovery of land; trust and mortgage cases; cases involving disputes between landlords and tenants; complaints about race and sex discrimination, divorce cases and other family affairs. All personal injury cases involving amounts below £50,000 begin in a county court, unless they are of particular importance and complexity. The county courts have a 'small claims' procedure, designed to provide a cheap, informal and speedy means of resolving small disputes, without the need for legal representation. These courts tend to be very busy and have a role equivalent to that of the magistrates' court. Some 90% of all cases are dealt with by the county courts.