What is the basic structure of the courts of England and Wales?

The answer to this question is best shown through the aid of a diagram. Starting from bottom of the structure criminal cases start at the Magistrates’ or Crown Court depending on nature of offence and appeals from Magistrates’ Court go to the Crown Court or straight to the High Court. Appeals from Crown Court then go to the relevant division in the High Court. On the civil side the County Court is the starting point and it deals with the majority of civil claims appeals then also go to the relevant divisions of the High Court. From the relevant divisions of the High Court all appeals then go onto the court of Appeal and then to the Supreme Court which is at the peak of the structure. The High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court also hear appeals from tribunals which cover many areas, for example immigration.