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Leaflets & Publications
Introduction
Hayweight House
23 Lauriston Street
Edinburgh
EH3 9DQ
Tel: 0131 229 9200
Fax: 0131 221 6890
Email: enquiries@scotcourts.gov.uk
The Scottish Court Service and the Scottish Government Justice Department, Courts Group publish a number of leaflets and other documents relating to their work. As part of an on-going programme many of these publications are being updated and redesigned. Currently all publications are free, unless otherwise specified, and can be obtained by writing to the Scottish Court Service Headquarters or to the Scottish Government Justice Department, Courts Group at the address given on this page.
Electronic copies of the documents are provided where possible, and can be downloaded by clicking on the appropriate links below.
Information is also provided in some Non-English languages.
 General Information |
| SCS aims; the courts for which the Service has responsibility; areas of law covered by these courts. | |
The SCS - a Comprehensive Guide.
- PDF [86.36 kb]
| A guide to the Scottish Court Service. |
The SCS Corporate Plan 2005-2008
- PDF [1.25 mb]
| The SCS 3 year strategic and operational plan. |
SCS Annual Report and Accounts 2006-2007
- PDF [1 mb]
| A summary of the previous year's financial activity and performance. |
Courts Charter
- PDF [59 kb]
Courts Charter
- Web version | What standards you can expect coming to court. |
Customer Satisfaction Survey 2006
- PDF [1.89Mb]
Customer Satisfaction Survey 2005
- PDF [1.17Mb]
| Customer Survey Results |
| Links to the SCS policy documents on Race Equality, and current status/outcomes concerning the implementation of the scheme. | |
Scottish Court Service - Complaints Complaints procedure
- PDF [36 kb]
| What to do if you wish to make a complaint about or comment on our services. |
Glossary of Scottish legal terms
- PDF [50.84 kb]
| An A-Z glossary of the more common Scottish legal terms. |
Agency Review of the Scottish Court Service
- PDF [920 kb]
| Agency Review of the Scottish Court Service by the Scottish Government Justice Department. |
Court of Session and High Court of Justiciary Business Plan 2006-07
- PDF [61.1 kb]
| A note to all court users summarising the business plan objectives the Court of Session and High Court of Justiciary have set for 2006-2007. |
| Attending Court |
Attending a Criminal Court
- PDF [47 kb]
| A guide to the criminal courts, personnel and procedures. |
Rights to conduct Litigation and Rights of Audience / Guide for professional | Guide for professional or other bodies on making an application to enable their members to acquire: Rights to conduct Litigation and Rights of Audience. This link will direct you to the Scottish Government's website. |
Download the startegy as a pdf
- PDF [40 kb]
| Action Plan for implementation within the Scottish Court Service. |
Standard of service for victims
- PDF [42 kb]
| What standards can you expect if you are coming to court as a victim? |
Sources of help and advice for victims
- PDF [45 kb]
| Covers victim support; bereavement organisations; self-help groups; legal, benefits and other advice; compensation. |
| What standards can you expect if you are coming to court as a witness ? | |
Information for potential jurors in criminal trials.
- PDF [24 kb]
| What happens if you are cited for jury service. |
Jurors Allowances
- PDF [86 kb]
Jurors Allowances
- Word Doc [109 kb]
| A guide to the allowances payable to Jurors. |
Code of practice for jurors
- PDF [19 kb]
| Explains the standards of service those attending court for jury service can expect. |
Useful information for potential jurors in civil cases.
- PDF [29 kb]
| What happens if you are called for jury service in civil as opposed to criminal cases ? |
| Criminal Courts |
| How to find a case calling | |
| What happens to your disqualification from driving if you appeal ? |
| Civil Courts |
Do it yourself Divorce and Dissolution of Civil Partnership Guidance
| Forms to be used for applications and a guide on how to go about getting a divorce/dissolution of a civil partnership under the simplified procedure |
Human Fertilisation & Embryology Act 1990
| Petition for parental order following surrogacy, and related forms |
Fee Exemption
| Application for exemption from payment of court fee |
Fee Exemption - Abbreviated version
| To be used in the case here an application for exemption from payment of court fee has previously been lodged in these proceedings and there has been no change in circumstances as detailed in that application. |
| Small claims in the Sheriff Court | Civil actions of value up to £750 raised prior to 14 January 2008, and Civil actions of value up to £3000 raised on or after 14 January 2008 |
| Summary cause procedures | Civil actions of value between £750 - £1,500 raised prior to 14 January 2008, and Civil actions of value between £3000 - £5000 raised on or after 14 January 2008 |
| Forms for use in applications to the court relating to articles subject to Attachment and Auction. | |
Bankruptcy rules forms
- PDF [226 kb]
Bankruptcy rules forms
- Word [109 kb]
| Forms for use in applications to the court under the Act of Sederunt (Sheriff Court Bankruptcy Rules) 2008.
Please note that from 1st April 2008 debtors applications for sequestration can be obtained from and should be sent to the Accountant in Bankruptcy, their contact details are:
1 Pennyburn Road
Tel: 0845 612 6460 Web: www.aib.gov.uk |
Notes for the guidance of curators
| Notes for the guidance of curators, including an example of a completed Account of Charge and Discharge, as well as a blank Account to download and use. |
Information for families of persons subject to curatory
| Booklet to view or download |
European Enforcement Orders
| Links to Regulation, Acts of Sederunt and Forms |
| Commissary/Confirmation | Guidance and forms to be used in applying for confirmation to a deceased person’s estate
This is a guide to assist people who are about to apply to be appointed executor where the value of the estate is under £30,000 The checklist may help you to remember what to bring to court The sheriff clerk will complete the application for you, but should you wish to do this yourself, you will find the forms on the HM Revenue & Customs website The SCS is prohibited from assisting applicants for confirmation to large estates, i.e. exceeding £30,000. However, you will find the forms and guidance on the HM Revenue & Customs website Form for use in application for confirmation: Ad non executa: where the original executor has died or has become incapacitated without fully administering the estate of the deceased. Ad omissa: where additional estate is discovered or where estate has been wrongly valued in the original confirmation and the principal executors appointed will not, or cannot act. |
Employment Equality (Age) Regulations 2006
| Forms for use in obtaining evidence in complaint under the regulations |
Borrowing Slips
| Borrowing Slips for agents |
Leaflets & Publications
Rules & Legislation
Rules of Court made after May 2002 are available on site.
Court Judgments
Court Judgments - Introduction