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Understanding Lebanon's Hierarchy of the Criminal Courts

February 22, 2025 posted by Steve Brownstein

Understanding Lebanon's Hierarchy of the Criminal Courts
 
There are three levels of criminal courts in Lebanon:
 
Trial Courts: These are the courts of first instance, where cases are initially heard. They can be composed of a single judge for minor offenses or a panel of three judges for more serious crimes.
 
Appellate Courts: These courts review decisions made by the Trial Courts. They are also composed of three judges and can overturn or uphold the lower court's ruling.
 
Court of Cassation: This is the highest court in Lebanon and only hears appeals on points of law, not on the facts of the case. It is composed of five chambers, each with a chief justice and two counselors.
 
Additionally, there are specialized courts for certain types of cases, such as military courts for crimes committed by members of the armed forces and juvenile courts for cases involving minors.
 
 
What type of courts of located within the Lebanese Trial Courts
 
When discussing "Lebanon trial courts," it's essential to understand that this generally refers to the courts of first instance. Here's a breakdown:
 
Courts of First Instance:
These are the foundational level of the Lebanese judicial system.
They handle a wide range of cases, both civil and criminal.
These courts can be presided over by a single judge for less severe cases, or by a panel of three judges for more serious matters.   
These courts are located throughout Lebanon, within the different governorates.
 
Key points to remember:
Within the criminal court system, the courts of first instance are where criminal cases are initially heard.
 
There are also specialized courts, such as:
Military Courts: These handle cases involving members of the military.
Juvenile Courts: These deal with cases involving minors.
 
It's important to differentiate them from:
Courts of Appeal: Which review decisions made by the courts of first instance.   
Court of Cassation: The highest court, which deals with points of law.   
 
Therefore, when you ask about "Lebanon trial courts," you are mainly referring to the Courts of First Instance spread throughout the country.
 

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