Crown Court
Handles serious criminal cases in Wales including indictable offences like robbery, fraud, and sexual offences. All Crown Court cases are heard before a judge and jury, with solicitors representing defendants throughout proceedings.
Wales · general legal information
Understand your legal options in Wales
Call Jen, our AI assistant, for free general legal information at any time. Jen is not a solicitor and cannot give legal advice. If you want advice, you can separately request a £145 consultation with an independent solicitor, subject to availability and conflict checks.
Immediate danger? Call 999. If you are at a police station, ask the police for the duty solicitor; police-station legal advice is free.
The legal system
How the legal system works in Wales
Wales shares its legal system with England, featuring a unified court structure and common law principles. The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) oversees all practising solicitors, ensuring professional standards. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) handles criminal prosecutions, while the Legal Aid Agency provides funding for qualifying cases. Welsh solicitors represent clients across criminal, civil, and family matters in all court levels.
- Solicitor regulator
- Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA)
- Legal aid body
- Legal Aid Agency
Courts and tribunals
Key courts in Wales
Magistrates Court
Deals with summary offences and minor criminal matters across Wales, including traffic violations, public disorder, and preliminary hearings for serious crimes. Most criminal cases in Wales begin and end in Magistrates Courts.
Civil Court
Manages non-criminal disputes including contract disputes, personal injury claims, and family matters. Welsh civil courts handle everything from small claims to complex commercial litigation and divorce proceedings.
Choose a topic
Legal information for Wales
Criminal lawArrest, police interviews and court proceedings→Family lawSeparation, children and financial arrangements→Employment lawDismissal, discrimination and tribunal time limits→Drink drivingLimits, procedure, penalties and urgent next steps→Immigration lawVisas, appeals, asylum and detention→Civil lawClaims, disputes and court procedure→
How the service works
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Call Jen free, 24/7
Describe the issue in your own words and receive general AI-generated information and relevant next steps.
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Check the right route
Use official services where appropriate, including emergency services, police-station duty solicitors and legal-aid resources.
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If you want a solicitor, request a £145 consultation. Matching depends on availability, jurisdiction, expertise and conflict checks; it is not guaranteed.
Common questions
Legal questions in Wales
How does family law work in Wales?
Welsh family law covers divorce, child custody, financial settlements, and domestic violence matters. Cases are heard in Family Court with solicitors representing parties. We handle all family legal issues with sensitivity and expertise.
These answers are general information, not advice about your circumstances. Rules and time limits can change.
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