Court of First Instance

A court of first instance is a trial court of original or primary jurisdiction. The Court of First Instance is a collegiate court that hears civil (Court of First Instance) and criminal cases (Correctional Court). All of the judges sitting on the Court of First Instance are therefore competent to hear both civil and criminal cases. The tribunals of the Principality exercise jurisdiction over citizens of Monaco as well as those of other countries. At first instance, all civil or commercial cases, which because of their nature or value, fall outside the jurisdiction of the Justice of the Peace. Similarly at first instance, as the ordinary court in administrative matters the Court of First Instance hears all cases other than those for which the Supreme Court or other tribunal has jurisdiction under the constitution or by law. On appeal, the Court of First Instance examines judgments handed down at first instance by the Justice of the Peace and arbitration awards on civil or commercial matters, as well as judgments over which it has jurisdiction by law.