Read our latest news including judicial speeches, consultations and consultation responses.
Published speeches reflect the individual judicial office holder's personal views, unless otherwise stated.
Scottish Civil Justice Council appointments
Feb 22, 2023
Three new members have been appointed to the Scottish Civil Justice Council for a three-year term. These appointments fill two vacancies for practising solicitor members to the Council and one Lord President member (Judge).
Judicial Protocol extended to include Northern Ireland
Feb 6, 2023
The Judicial Protocol Regulating Direct Judicial Communications Between Scotland, and England and Wales, in Children’s Cases was first published in July 2018, following on from a series of meetings that took place between members of the Scottish and English judiciaries over 2017- 2018.
The Judicial Appointments Board for Scotland (JABS) is now inviting applications from suitably qualified individuals who wish to be considered for appointment to the office of Sheriff.
His Majesty the King, on the recommendation of the First Minister, has made a number of judicial appointments, including the appointment of a new Senator of the College of Justice and three sheriffs principal.
Update to written direction on mutual corroboration
Dec 14, 2022
Practitioners may wish to note that the Jury Manual Committee has agreed an amendment to Part C of the Written Directions (directions which do not apply in all cases but can be used as appropriate).
Practitioners may wish to note that the Preliminary Hearings Bench Book has been updated as of 8 December. The latest update encompasses changes made in light of the justice provisions in the Coronavirus (Recovery and Reform) (Scotland) Act 2022.
Plaque marks historic slavery case at Court of Session
Dec 6, 2022
A historic legal case which found that slavery was “not recognised” in Scots law has been commemorated in a plaque installed at the Court of Session in Edinburgh.
Her Majesty the Queen has appointed eleven new sheriffs to serve the sheriffdoms of Glasgow and Strathkelvin, Grampian, Highland and Islands, North Strathclyde, South Strathclyde, Dumfries and Galloway, and Tayside, Central and Fife.
The Sheriffs Principal have issued new guidance for court users on proceedings in the Sheriff Courts. The guidance will supersede and replace the guidance which was issued by the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service on 25 April 2022.