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Case Law: the body of law created by judges' decisions on individual cases.

Central Criminal Court: known as the Old Bailey after the street in London in which it is situated, the Central Criminal Court deals with major criminal cases in the Greater London area and in exceptional cases from the rest of England.

Chambers: this has two meanings: a private room or courtroom from which the public are excluded, in which a judge may conduct certain sorts of hearings, for example family cases; or offices used by a barrister.

Chancery: the Chancery Division of the High Court considers matters in relation to trust law, the administration of estates, guardianship and charities.

Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (CAFCASS): CAFCASS looks after the interests of children involved in proceedings in the family courts in England and Wales and works with children and their families to advise the courts on children's best interests in family cases, be that in divorce and separation, adoption, or child care and supervision proceedings.

Circuit: it is the geographical area where a judge has the judicial authority to decide on cases. The jurisdiction can encompass a range of counties or districts.

Circuit Judge (CJ): a judge who normally sits in the county court and/or Crown Court.

Civil Court: a court that deals with matters concerning private rights and not offences against the state.

Civil Justice Council: the Council is an advisory body put in place by law to monitor the civil justice system, and to promote its modernisation. It provides a representative voice for all those who either work in, or have cause to experience, civil justice. It is here to safeguard the future of civil justice and to ensure that it is fair, accessible, and efficient.

Civil Procedure Rules: the Civil Procedure Rules are a procedural code with the overriding objective of enabling the courts to deal with cases justly.

College of Justice of Scotland: a formal name of the Court of Session, Scotland's supreme civil court. The College of Justice includes advocates, solicitors, court staff and others, as well as the judges.CompensationA sum of money paid to make amends for loss, breakage, hardship, inconvenience or personal injury caused by another.Constitutional Reform Act (CRA 2005)The Constitutional Reform Act was granted Royal Assent on March 24 2005. It concerned establishing an independent judiciary, the reformation of the role of Lord Chancellor and the establishment of the Lord Chief Justice as head of the judiciary of England and Wales. It also created the new Supreme Court and a new system for the appointment of judges by establishing the Judicial Appointments Commission as well as an Office of Judicial Complaints and Conduct Ombudsman.

Contempt of Court: an offence that can lead to a fine and even imprisonment because of a lack of respect or obedience by an individual in a court of law. You are also in contempt of court if you disobey an injunction or court order.Council on TribunalsThe Council on Tribunals supervises the constitution and working of tribunals and inquiries in England, Scotland and Wales, seeking to ensure they are open, fair and impartial. It was replaced in November 2007 by the Administrative Justice and Tribunals Council.

Court of Appeal (CA): the Court of Appeal is based at the Royal Courts of Justice in London, but has occasional sittings elsewhere in England and Wales. It consists of a Civil Division and a Criminal Division, which between them hear appeals in a wide range of cases covering civil, family and criminal justice. In some cases a further appeal lies, with leave, to the Supreme Court, but in practice the Court of Appeal is the final court of appeal for the great majority of cases.

Criminal Justice System Online: if you have come into contact with the criminal justice system as a victim of crime, a witness, juror or you have been accused or convicted of a crime then this site can help.

Crown Court: the Crown Court deals with more serious criminal cases such as murder, rape or robbery, some of which are on appeal or referred from magistrates' courts. Trials are heard by a judge and a 12 person jury.

Culpability Blame Curfew: a legal order confining someone to their home, sometimes for set times of the day.

Custodial Sentence: where an offender is confined to a prison or young offenders' institution for a set period of time.