This page is under development. Please email judicialcomms@scotcourts.gov.uk to suggest words to be added to the glossary.
G
Guardian A person appointed by a parent or a court to act as the legal representative of the child in the event of the parent's death, or a person appointed by a court to act as guardian in relation to the property, financial affairs or personal welfare of a person with incapacity.
Guideline judgements
Judges - when sitting in higher appeal courts - can make decisions in cases that give guidance to other judges about the appropriate sentence to use in similar types of cases. These decisions are known as guideline judgments. These judgments can made by both the High Court (when sitting as the appeal court), and by the Sheriff Appeal Court. See our Guideline Judgments page for further detail.