The New Hampshire Judicial Branch includes the  Supreme Court, the Superior Court, the Circuit Court Probate Division, the Circuit Court District Division and the Circuit Court Family Division.

Click here to see a diagram of Court Structure

The New Hampshire Court System At a Glance

Supreme Court  

      The Supreme Court consists of five justices who decide appeals from all levels of court including civil, criminal, juvenile cases and cases involving administrative agencies. They also issue advisory opinions at the request of the executive and legislative branches.

Superior Court  

     There are 26 justices of the Superior Court assigned to 11 locations in 10 counties. Their responsibilities include:

• jury trials in civil and criminal cases

• cases that resulted in damage to persons or property, contracts, property ownership, and other civil matters valued at more than $1,500. 

• divorce and custody and support cases in all counties except Grafton and Rockingham. 

• serious criminal cases

• appeals from District Court in certain types of cases

• domestic violence petitions along with the District Court and Family Division

Circuit Court District Division districtservice@courts.state.nh.us

     The Circuit Court District Division has justices assigned to locations in 32 cities and towns. Their responsibilities include: 

• Cases involving landlords and tenants

• civil cases (valued up to $25,000) involving damage to persons or property, contracts, and property

• small claims (valued up to $5,000)

• misdemeanor and violation level

• traffic violations

• domestic violence petitions  ( counties where established.)

Circuit Court Probate Division

     There are 10 probate division judges, one assigned to each county. Their responsibilities include:

• Adoptions

• Estates

• Trusts

• Wills

• Guardianships of Incapacitated Persons

• Involuntary Admissions

• Equity Matters

Circuit Court Family Division   familyservice@courts.state.nh.us

    The Family Division operates in 24 locations across the state in nine counties: Belknap, Carroll, Coos, Grafton, Hillsborough, Merrimack, Rockingham, Strafford and Sullivan. Note: Only the Goffstown and Manchester Family Division locations are open in Hillsborough County at this time. Family Division cases include:

• divorce/parenting action child support

• domestic violence petitions

• guardianship of minors

• termination of parental rights

• abuse/neglect cases

• children in need of services

• juvenile delinquency

• and some adoptions.

The Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Program includes 4 programs set up to help people resolve their cases without going to litigation.  These processes are more informal than a court proceeding and can save money for the individuals involved. ADR programs include civil mediation in Superior Court, marital mediation in the Superior and Family Division Courts, marital neutral evaluation in the Superior and Family Division Courts and Probate Court mediation.

Case Types
     Different types of cases are heard at various levels of court. The chart below lists case types and the appropriate level of court for your issue. You will then have to determine the specific court location for your town, city or county. Directions are available.