NEWS
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.
Message from the Lord President to all court users
Jan 5, 2021
The Lord President has recorded a message urging all court users to follow the COVID-19 safety guidance and procedures in place within court buildings.
New PI Court sheriffs
Dec 23, 2020
Sheriff Principal Mhairi Stephen has designated three new personal injury sheriffs in the All Scotland Sheriff Personal Injury Court.
Updates to Amalgamated Briefing Paper on Restarting Solemn Trials
Dec 10, 2020
Practitioners may wish to note that the Judicial Institute Briefing Paper on Restarting Solemn Trials has been updated.
Advocate General takes oaths of office
Dec 4, 2020
Lord Stewart was today sworn in as the Advocate General for Scotland. The ceremonies took place in Parliament House before the Lord President, Lord Carloway, with the Lord Justice Clerk, Lady Dorrian, and Lord Menzies.
Cross justice initiative swaps courtroom for classroom
Nov 25, 2020
A cross justice initiative is taking the lessons of the courtroom in to the classroom.
New resource on Restarting Solemn Trials
Nov 16, 2020
The Judicial Institute has published a new resource to support judges conducting jury trials using remote centres, which may also be useful for practitioners.
New guidance will help tackle court backlog
Nov 11, 2020
The Lord Justice General, Lord Carloway, today issued a Practice Note aimed at reducing the current summary case backlog, whilst ensuring physical distancing, in the sheriff courts.
LP delivers the Lord Rodger Memorial lecture
Oct 29, 2020
The Lord President, Lord Carloway, delivered the Lord Rodger Memorial Lecture today on Constitutional Principle and the Rule of Law.
South Scotland success in cutting backlog
Oct 19, 2020
A judge-led initiative in courts across the South of Scotland is proving successful in reducing the backlog of summary court cases caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
Opening of the Legal Year
Sep 28, 2020
An unusual Opening of the Legal Year ceremony was held today in Parliament House.
Appointment of Employment Judges
Sep 18, 2020
Following a fair and open recruitment process the Lord President, Lord Carloway, has made 13 new appointments to the panel of judges of Employment Tribunals (Scotland).
Summary Sheriffs Appointed
Sep 17, 2020
Two summary sheriffs have been appointed to a role created as part of major reform of Scotland’s courts.
Queen's Counsel Appointments
Sep 15, 2020
Ten new Queen’s Counsel have been appointed by Her Majesty the Queen on the recommendation of First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.
New appointments to Sheriff Appeal Court
Sep 3, 2020
A new Vice President and 4 new sheriffs have been appointed to the Sheriff Appeal Court.
Prisoner fails in bid for conduct assessment
Sep 2, 2020
Lord Braid has ruled that a prisoner serving an OLR has failed to compel Scottish Ministers to carry out a “community facing risk assessment” to increase his chances of release.
New sheriffs and summary sheriffs appointed
Aug 28, 2020
A number of new sheriffs and summary sheriffs have been appointed.
Lady Smith is stepping down as Tribunals President
Aug 21, 2020
After six years as President of the Scottish Tribunals, Lady Smith is stepping down from the role.
Scottish Public Law Speech
Aug 21, 2020
The Lord President, Lord Carloway, delivered a key note speech yesterday at a Scottish Public Law Group webinar.
Remote jury centres announced
Aug 14, 2020
The Lord Justice General, Lord Carloway, announced today that jury centres will be established outwith the court estate.
Restarting Jury Trials: Information for Practitioners
Aug 11, 2020
The Judicial Institute for Scotland has published a new resource to aid practitioners appearing or instructing in solemn trials in the High Court from July 2020.