Summary
The Senior Courts Act 1981 (formerly Supreme Court Act 1981) establishes the constitution, jurisdiction, and powers of the Senior Courts of England and Wales — the Court of Appeal, High Court, and Crown Court.
Key Points
- Establishes the Court of Appeal (Civil and Criminal Divisions), High Court (Queen's/King's Bench, Chancery, Family), and Crown Court
- High Court has unlimited civil jurisdiction
- Crown Court has exclusive jurisdiction over trial on indictment
- Judicial review remedies — mandatory, prohibiting, and quashing orders (s.31)
- Injunction and declaration powers
- Norwich Pharmacal orders — disclosure of wrongdoer's identity (derived from case law, facilitated by Act)
Parts & Sections
Amendments History
2005 — Constitutional Reform Act 2005
Renamed from Supreme Court Act 1981 to Senior Courts Act 1981 following creation of the UK Supreme Court.