Judicial rulings in the United Kingdom play a foundational role in the delivery of justice.

Over time, the judicial system in England and later in the wider United Kingdom developed from informal practices to a structured and formalized system. This article will explore the development of law courts in the UK, highlighting key milestones and the changes that shaped the legal landscape.

Once a claim is filed, the court will issue a date for a preliminary hearing or case management hearing. This is typically an early stage where both parties (the claimant and defendant) meet with the judge to discuss the case, set deadlines for filing documents, and schedule subsequent hearings. This stage is crucial for organizing the litigation process and ensuring that both sides are prepared for the trial.

The High Court of Justice deals with major non-criminal cases and is divided into three divisions: the Queen’s (or King’s) Bench Division, the Chancery Division, and the Family Division. Decisions made in the High Court are binding on lower courts and may be appealed to the Court of Appeal.

Common law and its emergence was a direct result of the creation of the King’s Court. As the courts began to operate more regularly, a body of legal precedents began to emerge, which laid the foundation for what would later become the common law system. Common law refers to a body of law based on judicial decisions rather than written statutes, and it formed the backbone of the English legal system. The decisions made by judges were recorded and used as precedents for future cases, providing consistency and predictability in legal outcomes.

The 20th century, further reforms were introduced to make the legal system more accessible and fair. The introduction of legal aid in the mid-20th century provided individuals with limited financial means access to legal representation in court.