Civil proceedings begun in other courts
761.Where civil proceedings are begun in courts other than a magistrates’ court (e.g. the County Court, the High Court), those courts can refer any devolution issues direct to the Court of Appeal (paragraph 7(1)). The Court of Appeal’s decision can be appealed to the Supreme Court, subject to permission having been granted by either the Court of Appeal or the Supreme Court (paragraph 11).
762.Paragraph 10 allows the Court of Appeal to refer a devolution issue to the Supreme Court of its own volition, where such an issue has arisen in proceedings before the Court of Appeal other than on a reference under this Part (for example, on an appeal from a first instance decision of the High Court in which the devolution issue was not raised).