Introduction to Fire Safety Management

Civil court system
The civil court system comprises the County Court and 
High Court. Given that civil law is to provide compen-
sation for loss, the county court deals with minor com-
pensation claims of up to £50 000. This system is also 
supported by the small claims court for claims for com-
pensation less than £5000.
For claims in excess of £50 000 the High Court is 
used; however, should appeals be heard in relation to 
awards then these will be heard by the Court of Appeal. 
There is also the potential that an appeal can be routed 
as far as the European Courts (European Court of Justice 
and European Court of Human Rights) via the House of 
Lords.
Criminal court system
The majority of cases in relation to breaches of safety 
legislation will be heard initially in the magistrates’ 
courts. The magistrates’ court can only fi ne up to 
£20 000 (summary conviction) for employers who breach 
the law and £5000 for employees who breach the law. It 
is also possible for the magistrate to sentence persons 
for a term of up to six months in jail.
Where death has occurred and for serious health 
and safety cases the magistrates’ court will defer to the 
Crown Court where sentences are less restrictive. As 
can be seen from Table 1.3 the indictable cases (heard 
within the Crown Court) can lead to up to two years’ 
imprisonment.
Appeals in relation to criminal law take the same 
route as those for civil law via Courts of Appeal, the 
House of Lords and European Courts.
In addition to the criminal and civil courts there is 
a further court system dealing with employment law. 
However, the role of this system has been extended to 
incorporate appeals against safety enforcement notices 
and disputes between safety representatives and 
employers.
The employment tribunal is supported by an appeals 
system which is ultimately routed through the same 
channels as both criminal and civil appeals.