The Scottish court system

Question 1

SHERIFF COURT

Answer 1

The Sheriff Court deals with more serious offences. The Sheriff Court deals with the majority of cases heard in Scotland, and the biggest courts in major cities can hear hundred of cases per day. Here, there is a jury of 15 and Sheriff to preside over the hearing.

For example, Sheriff Courts will deal with violent assault, drug dealing and robberies and the court can issue an unlimited fine or a maximum of 5 years in prison.

Question 2

HIGH COURT

Answer 2

The High Court is Scotland’s highest criminal court and they deal with the most serious of crimes like rape and murder. The court only conducts trials under a legally trained judge and a jury made up of 15 men or women. The Highest Court has unlimited sentencing powers in terms of imprisonment and fines.

Example, in 2022 the High Court of Glasgow sentenced Michael Dorey to life imprisonment for the murder of his ex- partner’s mother Jacqueline Grant

Question 3

Justice of the peace court

Answer 3

Justice of the peace courts were created in 2008 to replace district courts.
The proceedings take place in front of a lay magistrate and no jury. The maximum fine is £2500 and they can impose a maximum of a 60 day sentence
This is the lowest level of the criminal court and they deal with relatively minor crimes such as;
- Animalcruelty
- Minorroadtrafficoffences
- Minor assault

Lay magistrate- community appointed and usually not a legally qualified judge. However, this individual will have been trained in criminal law and procedur