Courts of Kerala

The Indian judicial system is headed by the Supreme Court and the lowest level is the Munsif/Magistrate Courts. At the state level, there are High Courts, District Courts and Subordinate Courts. Article 214 stipulates that there shall be a High Court for each state. The judicial branch of a state includes a High Court and a series of subordinate courts. High Courts are positioned between the Supreme Court and the subordinate courts. The High Courts hold the highest position in the judicial administration of a state. The High Courts exercise the supervisory and control functions of the district courts and the subordinate courts. The District Courts decide disputes arising within a district. The District Courts decide serious criminal offences and the Subordinate Courts decide disputes of a civil and criminal nature. Appeals from the subordinate courts are heard by the District Courts and the High Courts. Subordinate courts/lower courts are the courts that administer justice at the district level and below. The subordinate courts include district courts, sub courts, munsif courts, and magistrate courts.

Courts of Kerala

■ Kerala High Court

■ District and Sessions Court

■ Family Courts

■ Munsiff's Courts

■ Judicial First Class Magistrate Courts

■ Chief Judicial Magistrate Courts

■ Sub Courts

■ Additional District Courts

■ Special Courts