District Judges are the lowest level of full time judge. They sit in either the Magistrates' Courts or the County Courts.
District Judges sit in the County Courts to deal with small claims cases (under £5,000) and can also hear other cases for larger amounts.
District Judges who are appointed to the Magistrates' Courts try criminal cases in the Magistrates' Courts. They sit on their own and decide facts of law. When a defendant pleads guilty or is found guilty, they also have to decide on the sentence.
They may also sit to hear family cases, but this will usually be with two lay magistrates.
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