Principal local civil and criminal court in Scotland
Sheriff court
Royal Court of Arms of the United Kingdom as used by the Courts in Scotland
Jurisdiction
Sheriff court districts in six sheriffdoms of Scotland
Composition method
Appointed by Monarch on recommendation of First Minister of Scotland, who is given a recommendation from the Judicial Appointments Board for Scotland
Authorized by
Sheriff Courts (Scotland) Act 1907
Sheriff Courts (Scotland) Act 1971
Courts Reform (Scotland) Act 2014
Appeals to
Summary criminal proceedings, and certain civil actions: Sheriff Appeal Court
Solemn criminal proceedings: High Court of Justiciary
Other civil proceedings: Court of Session
Judge term length
Permanent sheriffs: Life tenure with mandatory retirement at 70
Part-time sheriffs: 5 years subject to reappointment
Website
www.scotcourts.gov.uk/the-courts/sheriff-court
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A sheriff court (Scottish Gaelic: Cùirt an t-Siorraim) is the principal local civil and criminal court in Scotland, with exclusive jurisdiction over all civil cases with a monetary value up to £100,000, and with the jurisdiction to hear any criminal case except treason, murder, and rape, which are in the exclusive jurisdiction of the High Court of Justiciary. Though the sheriff courts have concurrent jurisdiction with the High Court over armed robbery, drug trafficking, and sexual offences involving children, the vast majority of these cases are heard by the High Court. Each court serves a sheriff court district within one of the six sheriffdoms of Scotland. Each sheriff court is presided over by a sheriff, who is a legally qualified judge, and part of the judiciary of Scotland.
Sheriff courts hear civil cases as a bench trial without a jury, and make determinations and judgments alone. However, the specialist all-Scotland Sheriff Personal Injury Court (based in Edinburgh) has the ability to hear cases at proof[clarification needed] with a jury of twelve. Sheriff courts hear criminal trials on complaint as a bench trial for summary offences, and as a trial with a jury of fifteen for indictable offences. Where a person is convicted following a case heard on complaint they can be sentenced to a maximum of twelve months imprisonment and/or a £10,000 fine, and in solemn cases, 5 years imprisonment or an unlimited fine.
Judgments of the sheriff courts in criminal offences handled through summary procedures, and civil cases handled through small claims and summary process, can be appealed to the Sheriff Appeal Court. Criminal offences heard on indictment through solemn procedure are appealed to the High Court of Justiciary. Other civil actions are appealed to the Inner House of the Court of Session.
A sheriffcourt (Scottish Gaelic: Cùirt an t-Siorraim) is the principal local civil and criminal court in Scotland, with exclusive jurisdiction over all...
administration of all the sheriffcourts in their jurisdiction. Sheriffs principal also sit as appeal sheriffs in the Sheriff Appeal Court; hearing appeals against...
Edinburgh SheriffCourt is a sheriffcourt in Chambers Street in Edinburgh, within the sheriffdom of Edinburgh and Borders. Until the mid-1990s, hearings...
Glasgow SheriffCourt is a sheriffcourt in the Gorbals (Laurieston) area of Glasgow, within the sheriffdom of Glasgow and Strathkelvin. Reputedly the...
the sheriffcourts and justice of the peace courts, and hears appeals on bail decisions made in solemn proceedings in the sheriffcourt. The Sheriff Appeal...
Kilmarnock SheriffCourt and Justice of the Peace Court Kirkcaldy SheriffCourt and Justice of the Peace Court Kirkwall SheriffCourt Lanark SheriffCourt and...
others in their court-related functions. In Canada, the High Sheriff provides administrative services to the supreme and provincial courts. The office existed...
Scotland there are justice of the peace courts and sheriffcourts, rather than magistrates' courts or Crown Court as in England and Wales, and the College...
sheriff is the chief of law enforcement of a county. Sheriffs are usually either elected by the populace or appointed by an elected body. Sheriff's offices...
court and a court of appeal. As a trial court, the High Court sits on circuit at Parliament House or in the adjacent former SheriffCourt building in...
respective sheriffdoms. Sheriffs principal have to ensure the effective running of the sheriffcourts and justice of the peace courts within their jurisdiction...
Edinburgh SheriffCourt confirmed that the arrested man was Nicholas Rossi, despite his claims of mistaken identity. In August 2023, a sheriff ruled that...
is handled by the local sheriffcourts, which are arranged into six sheriffdoms led by a sheriff principal. The sheriffcourts have exclusive jurisdiction...
The Sheriff Personal Injury Court is a Scottish court with exclusive competence over claims relating to personal injury where the case is for a work-related...
Dumbarton SheriffCourt is a judicial structure in Church Street, Dumbarton, West Dunbartonshire, Scotland. The complex, which was the headquarters of...
Stirling SheriffCourt is a judicial building in Viewfield Place, Barnton Street, Stirling, Scotland. The building, which remains in use as a courthouse...
Wick SheriffCourt is a judicial structure in Bridge Street, Wick, Caithness, Scotland. The structure, which remains in use as a courthouse, is a Category...
Elgin SheriffCourt is a municipal structure in the High Street, Elgin, Moray, Scotland. The structure, which was the headquarters of Morayshire County...
Forfar SheriffCourt is a judicial building in Market Street, Forfar, Angus, Scotland. The building, which remains in use as a courthouse, is a Category...
present cases for the prosecution in the sheriff and justice of the peace courts (and formerly district courts), and the case for the defence is presented...
Although Arpaio sought another term as Maricopa County Sheriff in 2016, the contempt of court conviction eroded much of his remaining political support...
Kirkwall SheriffCourt is a judicial structure in Watergate, Kirkwall, Orkney, Scotland. The structure, which was the headquarters of Orkney County Council...
Stranraer SheriffCourt is a judicial building in Lewis Street, Stranraer, Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland. The building, which continues to be used as...
Paisley SheriffCourt is a municipal structure in St James Street, Paisley, Renfrewshire, Scotland. The complex, which was the headquarters of Renfrewshire...
Inner House or the Supreme Court. The Court of Session and the local sheriffcourts of Scotland have concurrent jurisdiction for all cases with a monetary...
Stonehaven SheriffCourt, formerly known as County Buildings, is a judicial structure in Dunnottar Avenue, Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. The structure...
Banff SheriffCourt is a judicial structure in Low Street, Banff, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. The structure, which was the headquarters of Banffshire County...
Hamilton SheriffCourt is a judicial building in Almada Street, Hamilton, South Lanarkshire, Scotland. The building, which continues to serve as the local...
Perth SheriffCourt is an historic building on Tay Street in Perth, Perth and Kinross, Scotland. The structure, which is used as the main courthouse for...
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