As for courts of first instance, there are 164 "tribunaux de grande instance" (civil courts for large claims, family matters, nationality, property and patents) and 307 "tribunaux d’instance" (civil courts for medium-sized claims). Separate commercial courts deal with commercial matters at the first instance, with lay judges elected by the local chamber of commerce. For criminal matters, the "tribunal de police", the "juges de proximité", the "tribunal correctionnel" and the "cour d’assises" hear criminal cases, depending on their seriousness. The "cour d’assises" is a branch of the Court of Appeal, which hears at first instance the most serious criminal cases. In criminal trials heard by the "cour d’assises", three judges and nine jurors together determine the verdict and sentencing. Criminal and civil courts are connected and typically co-located, despite criminal law being a branch of public law.