FAQ

February 24, 2016

In Japan is there a system of tiered courts to hear the appeals from lower courts?

There are four levels to the Japanese judicial system. The lowest level courts are called Summary Courts, which hear small cases and are the most prevalent type of court in Japan.
February 24, 2016

What are the high courts and what do they do?

High courts are located in eight major cities in Japan: Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, Hiroshima, Fukuoka, Sendai, Sapporo and Takamatsu. Parties who need to litigate in these courts, but live outside of these cities, need to commute to one of these courts or hire a local lawyer to bring their case. Unlike the single judge courts that hear lower level cases, cases in the high courts are heard by a three judge panel.
February 24, 2016

What is the Japanese Family Court?

Family courts in Japan have jurisdiction to hear cases arising from disputes within a family. These might include cases relating to divorce, support payments or adoption.
February 24, 2016

What are Summary Courts?

Not every legal dispute requires a full trial and many smaller claims can be handled in a simpler, streamlined legal process. In America these cases are resolved in small claims court and are familiar to anyone who has watched Judge Judy or a similar show on TV. In Japan, these smaller disputes are heard in Summary courts.