5.3 The Court System

LevelEngland & WalesNepalApexUK Supreme Court (since 2009; before, the Appellate Committee of the House of Lords)Supreme Court — constitutional bench + ordinary benchesAppellateCourt of Appeal (Civil/Criminal Divisions)7 High Courts — Biratnagar, Janakpur, Patan, Pokhara, Tulsipur, Surkhet, Dipayal — with 11 benchesFirst instanceCrown Court (criminal), County Court (civil), tribunals77 District Courts Specialisedtribunals (employment, immigration…)special courts (e.g., for designated offences)Localmagistrates (lay)judicial committees at local governments (quasi-judicial)Judges' appointmentsJudicial Appointments CommissionJudicial Council — Jurisprudence/ Legal Method's institutionLanguage notes:claimant/defendant (England's modern terms) vs Nepal's terms for plaintiff and defendant; prosecution/defence; counsel; "bench" and "bar" (that is, the bench and the advocates) — the English of the courtroom must be exact about roles.