The High Courts were established having civil, criminal, admiralty, vice-admiralty, testimony, intestate, and matrimonial jurisdiction, as well as original and appellate jurisdiction."

The principal jurisdiction of the Consistory Court is to consider applications for faculties to works affecting consecrated land or buildings; its former matrimonial jurisdiction was transferred to the High Court of Justice in 1884, and its jurisdiction in clergy discipline to disciplinary tribunals in 2006.

The 9th clause gave power to Her Majesty to confer on the High Courts such matrimonial jurisdiction as she thought fit; but Her Majesty did not attempt to confer on the High Courts such jurisdiction as was exercised by the Divorce Court in England.