Hierarchy of

Courts in
India and
Karnataka
Adithya N Rao, Saanvi Aggarwal, Pirajesh
INDEX
01 Supreme Court, High Court

02 Civil Courts

03 Criminal Courts

04 Revenue Courts
INTRODUCTION
The judiciary in India is one of the three pillars of
democracy. It is responsible for upholding the
rule of law and protecting the rights of citizens.
The Indian judiciary has a pyramidal structure,
with the Supreme Court at the apex. Below the
Supreme Court are the High Courts, followed by
the district and subordinate courts.
Hierarchy of Courts in India

Supreme Court High Court Subordinate

Court
 01
Supreme
Court of
India
 INTRODUCTION
The Supreme Court of India is the highest court in the country and has
the power of judicial review. This means that it can examine the
constitutionality of laws and orders passed by the government and the
legislature. The Supreme Court also has the power to issue writs to
protect the fundamental rights of citizens. The Supreme Court plays a
vital role in the Indian democracy. It upholds the rule of law and protects
the fundamental rights of citizens. The Supreme Court also plays an
important role in interpreting the Constitution and ensuring that it is
implemented in a fair and just manner.
The Supreme Court has three main types of jurisdiction:

● Original jurisdiction: This jurisdiction allows the Supreme Court to hear and decide cases that are
specifically mentioned in the Constitution. For example, the Supreme Court has original jurisdiction in
disputes between the central government and the state governments, and in cases involving fundamental
rights.
● Appellate jurisdiction: This jurisdiction allows the Supreme Court to hear appeals from the High Courts. The
Supreme Court can hear appeals against the judgments of the High Courts on both civil and criminal matters.
● Advisory jurisdiction: This jurisdiction allows the President of India to seek the opinion of the Supreme
Court on a question of law or fact.

Composition

The Supreme Court consists of the Chief Justice of India and a maximum of 33 other judges. Judges are
appointed by the President of India on the recommendation of the Supreme Court Collegium. The Collegium is a
body of five senior judges of the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court has a number of powers, including:

● Judicial review: The Supreme Court can examine the constitutionality of laws and orders passed by the
government and the legislature.
● Issue of writs: The Supreme Court can issue writs to protect the fundamental rights of citizens.
● Supervision of lower courts: The Supreme Court can supervise the work of the High Courts and the
subordinate courts.
● Interpretation of the Constitution: The Supreme Court has the power to interpret the Constitution and
to give binding rulings on its meaning.
 02
High Courts
in India
 INTRODUCTION
The High Courts of India are the highest courts of appeal in each state
and union territory of India. They have original jurisdiction in certain
cases and appellate jurisdiction over the judgments of the subordinate
courts. The High Courts also have the power to issue writs to protect the
fundamental rights of citizens. There are 25 High Courts in India, one for
each state or union territory.The High Courts play a vital role in the Indian
democracy. They uphold the rule of law and protect the fundamental
rights of citizens. The High Courts also play an important role in
interpreting the Constitution and ensuring that it is implemented in a fair
and just manner.
The High Courts have the following types of jurisdiction:

● Original jurisdiction: This jurisdiction allows the High Courts to hear and decide cases that are specifically
mentioned in the Constitution or in other laws. For example, the High Courts have original jurisdiction in civil
suits involving large sums of money and in criminal trials involving serious offenses.
● Appellate jurisdiction: This jurisdiction allows the High Courts to hear appeals from the subordinate courts.
The High Courts can hear appeals against the judgments of the subordinate courts on both civil and criminal
matters.
● Writ jurisdiction: This jurisdiction allows the High Courts to issue writs to protect the fundamental rights of
citizens. The High Courts can issue five types of writs: habeas corpus, mandamus, certiorari, quo warranto, and
prohibition.

Composition

Each High Court consists of a Chief Justice and a number of other judges. Judges are appointed by the President
of India on the recommendation of the High Court Collegium. The Collegium is a body of five senior judges of the High
Court.
The High Courts have a number of powers, including:

● Judicial review: The High Courts can examine the constitutionality of laws and orders passed by the state
governments and the state legislatures.
● Issue of writs: The High Courts can issue writs to protect the fundamental rights of citizens.
● Supervision of lower courts: The High Courts can supervise the work of the subordinate courts.
● Interpretation of the Constitution: The High Courts have the power to interpret the Constitution and to
give binding rulings on its meaning.
The High Court of Karnataka (IAST: Karnāṭaka Ućća Nyāyālaya, commonly called the Karnataka High Court
and formerly Mysore High Court) is the High Court of the Indian state of Karnataka and thus its highest
judicial authority. The court's principal bench is located in Bengaluru, the capital city of Karnataka, with
additional benches in Hubballi-Dharwada and Kalaburagi. It was previously called the High Court of
Mysore. In Bengaluru, the High Court functions out of a red-painted brick building known as the Attara
Kacheri, located opposite the Vidhana Soudha, the seat of the Karnataka Legislature.

The High Court is composed of the Chief Justice of Karnataka and other judges. Judges are appointed by
the President of India. As of February 2022, there are 45 judges in the High Court, out of a sanctioned
maximum strength of 62. Prasanna B. Varale has been the Chief Justice since October 15, 2022.
Subordinate
Courts in
Karnataka
 INTRODUCTION
The subordinate courts in Karnataka are the lowest level courts in the
Indian judiciary. They have original jurisdiction in most civil and criminal
cases. The district courts are also responsible for supervising the
subordinate courts. Subordinate courts in Karnataka play a vital role in
the Indian judicial system. They are the first point of contact for most
people who need to access the justice system. Subordinate courts also
play an important role in reducing the backlog of cases in the higher
courts.
Types of Subordinate Courts

Civil Courts Criminal Courts

Revenue Courts
 02
Civil Courts
Civil cases pertain to disputes between two or more persons regarding
property, breach of agreement or contract, divorce or landlord-tenant
disputes.
Civil Courts settle these disputes. They do not award any punishment for
violation of law, which is not involved in civil cases.
The disputes relating to property, succession, ownership and other such
rights come under the jurisdiction of Civil Courts, which dispose of these
cases in accordance with the Civil Procedure Code.
 03
Criminal Courts
Criminal cases are related to the violation of laws.
These cases involve theft, dacoity, rape, pickpocketing, physical assault,
murder, etc. These cases are filed in the lower court by the police, on behalf of
the state, against the accused.
In such cases the accused, if found guilty, is awarded punishment like fine,
imprisonment or even death sentence.
These cases are disposed of by the Criminal Courts in accordance with the
Criminal Procedure Code and Indian Penal Code.
 04
Revenue Courts
Revenue courts deal with cases of land revenue in the State. The highest
revenue court in the district is the Board of Revenue. Under it are the Courts of
Commissioners, Collectors, Tehsildars and Assistant Tehsildars.
The Board of Revenue hears the final appeals against all the lower revenue
courts under it.
The organisational structure, jurisdiction and nomenclature of the subordinate
judiciary are laid down by the states.
Hence, they differ slightly from state to state.