Information About the Royal Courts of Justice

What is the Royal Courts of Justice?

The Royal Courts of Justice is a large Victorian building on the Strand in central London. It was opened by Queen Victoria in 1882 and remains one of the most recognisable court buildings in England and Wales.

The building is home to the Senior Courts of England and Wales, which include the High Court and the Court of Appeal. High profile judicial review cases, defamation trials and major civil disputes are often heard here.

For specific court listings, hearing times or case queries, you can check the court and tribunal finder on GOV.UK.

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Courts based at the Royal Courts of Justice

Several different courts operate within the building. The two main courts are the High Court and the Court of Appeal.

The Court of Appeal hears appeals from lower courts in both civil and criminal matters. It does not usually rehear evidence but reviews whether the law was applied correctly in the original case.

The High Court deals with serious and complex civil cases. It is divided into three separate divisions, each handling different types of dispute.

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The three divisions of the High Court

The King's Bench Division handles the highest volume of cases. It typically hears cases involving:

• Personal injury claims
• Negligence
• Breach of contract
• Defamation, including libel
• Debt recovery
• Disputes over possession of property or land

The Family Division handles matters relating to marriage, divorce, children and other family proceedings. Some of the most sensitive cases in the court system pass through this division.

The Chancery Division deals with business, property and financial disputes. While some Chancery work takes place at the Royal Courts of Justice, much of it is now conducted at the Rolls Building nearby. This division covers:

• Company law and insolvency
• Trusts and probate
• Wills and inheritance claims
• Land and property ownership
• Intellectual property, including patents
• Commercial and business disputes
• Tax and revenue matters

The division that handles your case will depend on the subject matter of your dispute. In some situations, cases may be transferred between divisions if that would be more appropriate.

Visiting or attending a hearing

The Royal Courts of Justice is open to members of the public. Most hearings are held in open court, which means you can attend and observe proceedings unless the judge has ordered otherwise. Some family cases and matters involving children are heard in private. Certain hearings may also take place remotely by video link.

If you are attending as a party to a case or as a witness, you should arrive in good time and check which courtroom your hearing is listed in. Information screens and staff at the building can help you find the right location. The building has step free access and accessible facilities.

Security checks are in place at the entrance, so allow extra time if you are unfamiliar with the building. You may not be able to bring certain items inside, and photography is not permitted. Mobile phones must be switched to silent, and you should stand when the judge enters or leaves the courtroom.

If you are involved in civil court proceedings and want to understand what to expect, GOV.UK provides guidance on court hearings and procedures. Citizens Advice can also offer free general information about the court process and your rights.

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