The Indian judicial system is a three-tiered hierarchy, consisting of the Supreme Court at the top, followed by the High Courts in each state or union territory, and the District Courts at the bottom.
The types of cases that can be considered by each of these courts are as follows:
Supreme Court:
- Constitutional cases
- Civil cases involving substantial questions of law of public importance
- Criminal cases involving substantial questions of law of public importance
- Appeals from High Courts
- Appeals from tribunals and quasi-judicial bodies
- Disputes between the Government of India and one or more States
- Inter-state disputes
- Cases referred to it by the President of India on a question of law or fact
High Courts:
- Appeals from lower courts
- Civil cases involving a substantial question of law
- Criminal cases involving a substantial question of law
- Cases referred to it by a lower court
- Writ petitions under Article 226 of the Constitution for violation of fundamental rights
- Matters relating to taxation laws
- Service matters
- Matters relating to company law and intellectual property law
- Admiralty and maritime law matters
- Matters relating to arbitration
District Courts:
- Civil cases involving property disputes, breach of contract, etc.
- Criminal cases involving offences punishable with less than seven years' imprisonment
- Matters related to family law, including divorce, maintenance, and child custody
- Matters related to labour and employment law
- Matters related to motor accidents and compensation
- Matters related to cheque bounce
- Matters related to consumer protection
- Matters related to tenancy and rent control
It is important to note that these lists are not exhaustive and there may be other cases that can be considered by each of these courts.
