Most people imagine court decisions like this:
A judge listens.
Thinks for a moment.
Announces a decision.
In reality, courts follow a careful, multi-step process designed to make decisions fair, consistent, and lawful.
Let’s walk through that process easily.
1. Who Is the First Person You Approach When You Have a Case?
Criminal Case (theft, assault, cheating, etc.)
You go to:
Police Station
Why:
Police register a First Information Report (FIR) and investigate.
Law Source:
Criminal Procedure Law
Hidden Rule:
Courts do NOT start criminal cases on their own.
Police investigation is usually the gateway.
Civil Case (property, money, contracts, family disputes)
You go to:
Civil Court Registry (filing section)
Usually through a lawyer.
Law Source:
Civil Procedure Law
Hidden Rule:
Courts only act after a formal written case is filed.
Constitutional / Rights Violation
You may go directly to:
High Court or Supreme Court
Law Source:
Constitution
Hidden Rule:
For fundamental rights, you don’t have to start at lower courts.
What This Teaches You
Not all cases start at the same place.
The type of case decides the entry door.
2. Which Court Hears Which Kind of Case First?
Trial-Level Courts (Lowest Level)
They hear cases first.
Examples:
- Civil Judge / District Court → property, contracts, family
- Magistrate Court → criminal cases
Law Source:
Civil Procedure Law
Criminal Procedure Law
Hidden Rule:
Most cases must start at trial court.
You cannot jump directly to higher courts.
High Courts
Mainly hear:
- Appeals from lower courts
- Constitutional cases
- Serious legal questions
Law Source:
Constitution + Procedure Laws
Supreme Court
Mainly hears:
- Appeals from High Courts
- Constitutional interpretation
- Issues of national importance
Law Source:
Constitution
What This Teaches You
Courts are arranged like a ladder.
You climb it step by step.
3. Can You Choose Any Court You Like?
No.
Jurisdiction Rule
A court must have:
- Territorial power (location)
- Subject power (type of case)
- Monetary limits (value of case)
Law Source:
Civil Procedure Law
Criminal Procedure Law
What This Teaches You
Even if your case is strong, wrong court = dismissal.
4. What Is a Bench?
A bench = number of judges hearing a case.
- 1 Judge → Single Bench
- 2 Judges → Division Bench
- 3+ Judges → Larger Bench
5. Which Bench Can Contradict Which Bench?
Core Rule
Smaller bench cannot overrule larger bench.
Larger bench can overrule smaller bench.
Law Source:
Court-developed precedent rules
Example
- 2-judge bench decided X
- Another 2-judge bench disagrees
It cannot change X.
It must send the issue to a 3-judge bench.
What This Teaches You
Some judgments are stronger than others.
6. Can Two Benches of the Same Size Contradict Each Other?
No.
Same-strength benches must follow each other.
If disagreement → refer to bigger bench.
Law Source:
Judicial Discipline (case law)
What This Teaches You
Courts prevent equal judges from fighting each other.
7. Which Court Can Overrule Which Court?
- Supreme Court → everyone
- High Court → lower courts
- Lower court → nobody above
Law Source:
Constitution + precedent doctrine
What This Teaches You
Lower courts cannot ignore higher courts.
8. Can the Supreme Court Overrule Itself?
Yes.
But usually through larger bench and strong reasons.
Law Source:
Constitutional practice + case law
What This Teaches You
Even top court is not frozen forever, but change is slow.
9. Does Every Sentence in a Judgment Become Law?
No.
Only the main legal reason becomes binding.
Law Source:
Common law principles
What This Teaches You
Headlines may quote non-binding parts.
10. What If Two High Courts Say Different Things?
Both are valid in their own territories.
Supreme Court settles conflict.
Law Source:
Constitution + precedent rules
What This Teaches You
Conflicting judgments mean law is unsettled.
11. Who Must Prove the Case?
Whoever makes the claim.
Law Source:
Evidence Law
What This Teaches You
Strong story without proof = weak case.
12. Do Courts Re-check All Facts in Appeal?
Usually no.
Appeals mainly check legal mistakes.
Law Source:
Procedure Laws
What This Teaches You
Appeal ≠ fresh trial.
13. Can Courts Decide Hypothetical Questions?
No.
Only real disputes.
Law Source:
Constitutional principles
What This Teaches You
Courts don’t give academic opinions.
14. Can Courts Create New Laws?
No.
They interpret existing laws.
Law Source:
Constitution (separation of powers)
What This Teaches You
Judges explain law, lawmakers make law.
15. Are Laws Presumed Valid?
Yes.
Person challenging must prove invalidity.
Law Source:
Constitutional interpretation
What This Teaches You
Striking down laws is rare.
16. Do Courts Follow Morality or Law?
Law.
Not personal morals.
Law Source:
Rule of law doctrine
What This Teaches You
Unfair ≠ illegal.
To know more about this topic, you may check out this resource.
.
