The judiciary is divided into civil and administrative branches. Respectively, the Cour de Cassation and the Conseil d’Etat are the highest courts in France. The Conseil Constitutionel, if invoked, is responsible for ensuring the constitutionality of new laws. Concerning trials, an appellate court system exists to check lower court rulings. Popular juries are only used in serious criminal cases. For all other cases the magistrats, or judges, are responsible for court decisions.