Expressions to describe U.S. Court Systems.

1 Talking about the system in general

'The court system in the state of X is made up of 2 tiers . 'There is no middle tier . The bottom tier consists of trial courts of both general and limited jurisdiction . 'The bottom tier of X is made up of X different types of courts . In X there are indeed four instances within the state. It is not, however, a 4-tiered system .

2 Talking about courts (and trial courts in particular).

There are 11 divisions of the Juvenile Court (which, in fact, constitute 11 courts) 'There is only one X Court. 'There is one statewide X court 'A court of which there are 14 courts 'There are 3 Juvenile courts in 3 counties 'There is one X Court in each of the 45 counties into which the state is divided . There are four divisions of the Water Court . The X court is in the bottom/lower // middle/intermediate // higher/upper tier of the system'.

2.1 Trial Courts

In all of thee four courts, cases may be filed for the first time . The X courts are courts of first instance . The X Courts are courts where a case involving X is heard for the first time .

3 Talking about the personal jurisdiction and venue of a court.

it will depend on venue whether a case will be filed with either a District Court or with a Superior Court .

4 Talking about specific matters over which a court has subjectmatter jurisdiction
The X Court is empowered to hear a broad array of matters/issues. 'This court has a criminal side as well . On the criminal side of the court... As far as civil matters are concerned . 'Courts hear cases related to the violation of municipal orders. The subject matter jurisdiction of the court is real property rights/matters/cases'. The court can hear cases concerning 'The court has jurisdiction over....cases/matters/affairs'.

'The court can hear cases on torts, contracts, and real property rights to a maximum amount of $51,000 . There is a great deal of overlapping in subject-matter jurisdiction . The court has jurisdiction over miscellaneous civil matters/affairs, etc. The X Court has exactly the same subject-matter jurisdiction as the Y Court . X Courts can hear.... with no maximum amount in controversy . Both types of courts share the case load on an efficiency basis . A limitation is applied to the amount in controversy'. The X court has exclusive probate and estate jurisdiction . 'These courts may also hold preliminary hearings . The X Court exercises limited jurisdiction, for it may only hear case related to . The X Courts exercise original jurisdiction over X matters . The X Courts exercises exclusive felony jurisdiction . The X courts exercise exclusive authority to hear '. As regards their X jurisdiction, the X Courts may hear . As for their X jurisdiction, it is exercised in cases related to civil cases . (suena pelotudo pero figura as en el summary de las Intermediate Appellate Courts de NY).

5 Talking about Small Claims courts/divisions

Small claims cases with the ceiling/cap amount of XXXX . A small claims division with the same ceiling amount as we found before . There are small claims divisions within the same court with a similar ceiling amount . 'In all X, Y and Z courts, Small claims divisions are found'.

6 Talking about appeals / courts of intermediate appellate jurisdiction/Courts of Last Resort

decisions coming from a trial heard in a District Court may be appealed before a Superior Court . decisions adopted by administrative agencies may be appealed before this court . related to administrative agency cases . a court has jurisdiction in/on/over appeals of/from a case . X is a court of appellate jurisdiction . although they are primarily trial courts, they have some appellate jurisdiction . decisions adopted by the X court may be reviewed by the X Court . three appellate terms have been established to hear appeals from criminal and civil cases originating in the X Court'. The Supreme Court is the highest state court . 'Under its mandatory jurisdiction, the COLR is in charge of handing down advisory opinions if requested by lower courts / the COLR acts as an advisor on a controversy .

6.1 Mandatory & discretionary jurisdiction

all of the jurisdiction of this court of appeals is mandatory. Petitioners have an appeal by right/as of right . The appellate jurisdiction of the court is discretionary . Petitioners have an appeal by permission . An appeal may lie to an appellate/reviewing court either by right or by permission'. appeals lie to the appellate courts from trial courts . In the Court of Appeals no appeals by permission are contemplated . The X court has wholly mandatory/wholly discretionary appellate jurisdiction in/on/over cases first brought before a Y court

7 Talking about judges

X courts consists of 124 judges. 10 Judges sit in/on / serve on X Court. The Chief Justice presides over the U.S. Supreme Court of Justice. The Judge (The only judge serving on X Court) presides over X Court. 41 Justices sit on these courts (there are 23 courts, but we don't know how many judges serve on each court, so we must be vague; this phrase can be used whether you are describing a Court type in plural or in singular). 'The number of judges serving on the X courts amounts to forty-two . There are 3 courts, on which 10 judges serve'. 'As of the year 2002, there were X judges serving .

7.1 In panel/en banc

A panel of 6 judges . Judges sit in panels/en banc Judges sitting in panels/sitting en banc. 'Judges are allowed to sit in panels of 3 . all of the judges serving in trial courts of limited jurisdiction in Massachusetts are called justices '. The justices also sit individually/on his or her own in the single justice side of the court, on a rotating basis. To sit en banc, X justices are required (it is rare that this should be required). 'Justices are allowed to sit both in panels and en banc .

8 Talking about juries

A court can hold jury trials . Juvenile cases are heard by juries. '[No] jury trials are held .

9 Grammar issues
When talking about small claims , you refer to them in plural: small claims cases, small claims case, small claims court, small claims courts, small claims division, small claims divisions.

10 Miscellaneous advice
It is more rational to start the analysis in the bottom tiers In an academic paper you should NEVER use etcetera. Use for example miscellaneous .