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.
New sheriff appointed
Feb 26, 2021
Bruce Erroch, QC, has been appointed to the office of sheriff in the Sheriffdom of North Strathclyde, based at Paisley Sheriff Court and will take up office on 1 May.
Judicial Attitude Survey published
Feb 25, 2021
The Judicial Office has today published the Judicial Attitude Survey Scotland (JAS) 2020.
Preliminary Hearings Bench Book updated
Feb 23, 2021
Practitioners may wish to note that the Preliminary Hearings Bench Book has been updated.
Civil Business post COVID – Conference
Feb 23, 2021
A virtual conference is to provide a forum for discussion about how civil business might be conducted post pandemic.
Three new senators installed
Feb 22, 2021
Three new Senators of the College of Justice were today installed at physically distanced ceremonies held in Parliament House.
New employment judge appointed
Feb 22, 2021
Melanie Sangster has been appointed by the Lord President, Lord Carloway, to the panel of judges of Employment Tribunals (Scotland).
New SSDG initiative
Feb 9, 2021
A cross-justice initiative in South Strathclyde, Dumfries and Galloway (SSDG) is helping to improve court safety and efficiency.
Three new Senators of the College of Justice appointed
Feb 4, 2021
Her Majesty the Queen, on the recommendation of the First Minister, has appointed Shona Haldane QC, Martin Richardson QC and Craig Sandison QC as Senators of the College of Justice.
Restarting Solemn Trials paper updated
Jan 21, 2021
The Amalgamated briefing paper on Restarting Solemn Trials has been updated.
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).