What are the lowest courts in the Isle of Man?
Q: What are the lowest courts in the Isle of Man?
A: The lowest courts in the Isle of Man are the Summary Courts, Coroner of Inquests, Licensing Court, and Land Court.
Q: Who presides over these courts?
A: These courts are presided over by magistrates, which include two stipendiary magistrates (the High Bailiff and Deputy High Bailiff), as well as lay Justices of the Peace.
Q: What is the next level court in the Isle of Man?
A: The next level court is the High Court of Justice of the Isle of Man. It has two parts - a Civil Division and an appeal division called Staff of Government Division.
Q: Who appoints judges to this court?
A: Judges for this court are appointed by The Queen on advice from Secretary of State for Justice (for Deemsters) or Lieutenant Governor (for Judicial Officers). The High Bailiff and Deputy High Bailiff are ex officio Judicial Officers.
Q: How do civil matters usually get heard at first instance?
A: Civil matters are usually heard at first instance by a single Deemster sitting in the High Court.
Q: How do criminal proceedings get heard at first instance?
A: Criminal proceedings are heard at first instance before either the High Bailiff or Deputy High Bailiff or a bench of lay magistrates, in less serious cases. More serious criminal cases are heard before a Deemster sitting in Court General Gaol Delivery; if it's a defended case then there will be a jury with seven members (twelve members for treason or murder).
Q: Where can final appeals be made to?
A: Final appeals can be made to Judicial Committee Privy Council located in United Kingdom; this dates back to an ancient right that allowed Manx people to appeal decisions from Lord Mann to Crown England prior to revestment.
