What is another name for Circuit courts?

Circuit courts are often referred to as Courts of Appeals, particularly in jurisdictions where they serve as appellate courts reviewing decisions made by lower trial courts. The reasoning behind this terminology is that circuit courts typically have appellate jurisdiction over cases tried in lower courts, meaning they review the trial court's proceedings for errors in law or procedure, rather than re-examining the facts of the case.

In some jurisdictions, the term "circuit court" may also be synonymous with trial courts, as they can have original jurisdiction over certain cases. However, the primary function of circuit courts in many systems is to serve as an appellate court, leading to the understanding that they are Courts of Appeals. This makes the recognition of circuit courts as appellate courts a critical component of their role within the judicial system. District courts, typically found at a lower tier in the court hierarchy, serve as the initial trial courts and are distinct from circuit courts as appellate entities. Similarly, Supreme Courts are usually the highest court in a jurisdiction and also deal with appellate issues, but they are separate from the role of circuit or appeals courts.