What can we help you with today?
Information on how to conduct research in Scotland’s courts, tribunals and the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG).
Information on how to apply to conduct research on data, judiciary or staff in Scotland’s courts, tribunals and the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG).
If you wish to access information on historic cases (heard more than ten years ago) these records are held by the National Records of Scotland (NRS). Historic Scottish court records held by the NRS holdings can be searched for on the NRS Catalogue.
Access to conduct in-depth research on data held by Scotland’s courts, tribunals, Office of the Public Guardian (OPG), and on judicial office holders, tribunals members and SCTS staff can be applied for via SCTS.
Decisions on whether to approve or reject applications are made by the Lord President.
The process to assess and make decisions on research applications takes on average four months from acknowledged receipt of the research proposal.
As facilitating research is not a statutory function the research applications inbox is only resourced to be monitored at specific times. Acknowledgements can be expected in two to three weeks.
This timescale should be taken into account when planning research, as there is no capacity to fast-track applications which require rapid decisions.
Researchers are directed to consider the research access guidance and associated templates which can be found below.
Applications should be submitted to sctsresearch@scotcourts.gov.uk
If you have any questions whilst completing the required application documents, please use the email address above.