Question: Name the three types of courts at the district level. Explain the different categories of cases that fall under the jurisdiction of the Civil Court.
Answer:
Types of District Level Courts
The organization and structure of the Subordinate Courts are generally uniform throughout the country. The administration of justice in each district in India is entrusted to three types of Courts.
Civil Court: The District Civil Court is presided over by a District Judge who is also a Sessions Judge. It exercises both judicial and administrative powers. Civil Court hears cases related to disputes or cases related to land, property, money transactions, divorce, and guardianship over a minor or a lunatic. These Courts are further graded from the lowest level to the district level as given below:
(i) Court of the Civil Judge or Sub Judge: Next to the District Judge is the Court of a Civil or Senior Subordinate Judge or Sub Judge. This Court deals with cases involving a sum not more than Rs. 5,000. Appeals against this Court can be brought to the District Judge.
(ii) Subordinate or Munsif’s Court: A Subordinate or Munsif Judge may be of first class or second class with varying jurisdiction. A Munsif deals with civil cases involving not more than Rs. 2,000. Appeals against his decisions lie with the Sub Judge.
(iii) Small Court or Petty Court: The junior-most Magistrates head these Courts. They deal with cases of nominal money value. There is no appeal against their decision.
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