THE ROLE OF A JUDGE
All types of judge have a range of responsibilities both in and outside of the courtroom. As a result, many regularly work in the evenings and at weekends.
In cases heard in court, judges:
- supervise case preparation and progress
- control hearing proceedings
- rule on legal challenges
- give legal direction to a jury
- sentence convicted offenders
- decide rulings in appeal hearings.
In civil cases, judges may produce judgments which require considerable time outwith their court hours.
Other responsibilities can include attending meetings & conferences; delivering speeches; and undergoing or providing training.
High Court judges may also require to travel on a circuit to courts in cities across Scotland.
Among their other duties, sheriffs and summary sheriffs deal with arrest warrants; prepare reports for appeals or children’s referral; consider applications for adoptions, permanence orders & undefended divorces; and consider reports of breaches of community sentences.
Sheriffs principal have particular responsibility for overseeing the administration of court
programming, and for the allocation of sheriff court judiciary.