The Supreme Court does not review the facts but clarifies questions of law as applied to the facts. Once the Supreme Court has reviewed the case and given its decision, no further appeal can be made within the state court system. In special types of cases, the Supreme Court has original or exclusive jurisdiction. The case is brought directly to the Supreme Court without having to be heard first in one of the lower courts. The Vermont Supreme Court consists of the Chief Justice and four Associate Justices.
Law clerks perform the legal research necessary to help the justices reach well-informed decisions.
The Clerk of the Supreme Court and the Clerk's Staff are responsible for the daily operations of the Court. Each of Vermont's 14 counties has a Superior Court. These courts have exclusive jurisdiction over most civil cases, which involve the private rights of individuals or organizations. Litigants in cases heard in Superior Court may hire attorneys to act on their behalf during court proceedings or may choose to represent themselves. There are twelve Superior Court judges.