As you are already aware, there are two levels of criminal court in England and Wales. The Magistrates' Court and the Crown Court. Both of these courts are referred to as 'courts of first instance'. This simply means that they are courts where the original cases are heard for the first time. In contrast, the other courts in the criminal hierarchy are courts of appeal. (Remember though, the Crown Court can also be an appeal court for cases being appealed from the Magistrates' Court.)