Congress of the United States -- Encyclopedia Britannica. Introduction to the justice system | Structure of the courts system. Our courts system is complicated and - in places - confusing, because it has developed over 1,000 years rather than being designed from scratch. Different types of case are dealt with in specific courts: for example, all criminal cases will start in the magistrates' court, but the more serious criminal matters are committed (or sent) to the Crown Court. Appeals from the Crown Court will go to the High Court, and potentially to the Court of Appeal or even the Supreme Court. Civil cases will sometimes be dealt with by magistrates, but may well go to a county court. Again, appeals will go to the High Court and then to the Court of Appeal - although to different divisions of those courts. The tribunals system has its own structure for dealing with cases and appeals, but decisions from different chambers of the Upper Tribunal, and the Employment Appeals Tribunal, may also go to the Court of Appeal.
Federal Court Basics. BBC NEWS. Contrasts between American and British political systems. And government. Government The government runs the country. It has responsibility for developing and implementing policy and for drafting laws. It is also known as the 'Executive'. Parliament Parliament is the highest legislative authority in the UK. Forming a government A political party that wins an overall majority in the House of Commons at a general election forms the new government and its leader becomes Prime Minister.
If no party wins a majority of the seats then the largest party may form a minority government or there may be a coalition government of two or more parties. The Prime Minister appoints ministers who work in the government departments, the most senior of these sit in Cabinet. Read more about what happens if no party wins a majority: About Parliament: Hung Parliament Ministers and MPs Government ministers are chosen from MPs and Lords in Parliament. Scrutiny of the government Confidence motion The government needs to retain the confidence of a majority in the House of Commons.