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Banff Sheriff Court and Justice of the Peace Court

A court in the Sheriffdom of Grampian, Highland and Islands

About the court

Built around 1871, the Court was designed by architect James Matthews of Aberdeen. As well as the Sheriff Court and Justice of the Peace Court, the building houses the Procurator Fiscal’s Office, the Council Chambers and some Aberdeenshire Council Offices.

There is one courtroom within Banff Sheriff Court.

The Sheriff Court normally sits on Tuesdays, Wednesday, Thursdays and Fridays every second week and the Justice of the Peace Court sits every fourth Thursday. There is one full-time resident Sheriff at Banff, currently Sheriff Robert McDonald. But many other part-time Sheriffs sit at Banff occasionally.

image of Banff Sheriff Court and Justice of the Peace Court
Banff Sheriff Court and Justice of the Peace Court

Contact the court

Location and postal address

Sheriff Court House
Low Street
Banff
AB45 1AU

Sheriff Clerk

banff@scotcourts.gov.uk

Email


DX

521325

Phone

01261 812140

Difficulty using the phone

Phone interpreter

A phone interpreter service is available when you contact a court by phone or attend in person. To access this service ask for phone interpreter and the language required.

The phone interpreter service is not available during actual court proceedings.

Text relay service

If you are deaf, have hearing loss or are speech impaired you can contact us for free with Relay UK.

British Sign Language (BSL)

If you use British Sign Language (BSL) and wish to phone us using a sign language interpreter, you can use the online video relay interpreting service. For more information see the Contact Scotland BSL website.

Opening times

The Sheriff Clerk's office is open Monday to Friday:

  • 09:00 to 13:00
  • 14:00 to 16:00

Closing times

Sheriff Office closures
If the door is locked during our opening hours we are likely closed to observe a Public Holiday or undertake Staff Training. However, please note that this office is not always staffed. If you are travelling from a distance, please contact us on 01261 812140 in advance to confirm the office will be open.

For out of hours applications please contact Aberdeen Sheriff Court and Justice of the Peace Court.

The Sheriff Clerks Office will be closed from 13:00 for staff training on the following dates:

2024

  • January 19
  • February 16
  • March 15
  • April 12
  • May 10
  • June 7
  • July 5
  • August 2
  • August 30
  • September 27
  • October 25
  • November 22
  • December 20

Public holidays

2024

  • Wednesday 30 October 2024
  • Wednesday 27 November 2024

2025

  • Wednesday 22 January 2025
  • Wednesday 19 February 2025
  • Wednesday 19 March 2025
  • Wednesday 16 April 2025
  • Wednesday 14 May 2025
  • Wednesday 11 June 2025
  • Wednesday 9 July 2025
  • Wednesday 6 August 2025
  • Wednesday 3 September 2025
  • Wednesday 1 October 2025
  • Wednesday 29 October 2025
  • Wednesday 26 November 2025

Commissary

All Commissary Confirmations for Banff Sheriff Court will be processed at Peterhead Sheriff Court. Banff Sheriff Court will deal with dative petitions, registering of deeds, miscellaneous commissary applications and small estate interviews requiring a personal visit to the court. If you are unsure of what we can deal with please telephone the Sheriff Clerk’s Office.

New, first instance custodies

New, first instance custody cases will continue to be heard in hub courts as first instance cases in each Sheriffdom as follows. Thereafter, if a further substantive hearing is assigned this will be to the court of local jurisdiction. Custodies for Banff Sheriff Court are being processed at Aberdeen Sheriff Court.

Paying a fine

To pay a fine or for information please go to paying a fine.

Paying a fine

Directions to court

The court house is located on Low Street it is the first building on the right when entering from the High Street. Use the Journey Planner for public transportation information.

Cycle parking racks can be found in the parking lot nearby the court building on the CycleStreets cycle parking map.

Buses from Aberdeen and Elgin arrive and depart at least once per hour. The towns of Macduff, Turriff, Portsoy, Whitehills and Fyvie are served by this route. There are also services which serve the Aberchirder, Gardenstown and Cornhill areas. Please check timetables as these are liable to change.

The bus stop is 200 yards from the court off Low Street.

Please visit stagecoach for bus timetables or use the journey planner.

There is no railway station at Banff the nearest railway stations are Elgin (35 miles), Huntly (21 miles) and Keith (21 miles). Visit ScotRail or National Rail Enquiries for train times.

There are no parking facilities at the court house. St May's Pay and Display car park is located next to the court.

The nearest airport is Aberdeen (46 miles), and at Inverness (75 miles).

On arrival

Please report to the sheriff clerk's office on the ground floor on arrival or to the court officer. You will then be directed to the appropriate area.

Witnesses

All witness should report to the court officer in the foyer or report to the Sheriff Clerk's office. Witnesses are advised that they should bring refreshments with them prior to attending court.

Alternative access

Alternative access, other than through the main front door, for witnesses or anyone who feels vulnerable, can be arranged if contact is made with the sheriff clerk's office prior to attendance.

Facilities

There are no food or drink facilities in the court house. There are several cafes and hotels nearby, please ask staff for information or see notices on notice boards. No food or drink is allowed in the court room.

Accessibility

Accessible hearing

A loop induction system is available in the courtroom and Sheriff Clerk's office for hearing aid users. Please contact 01261 812140.

Accessible access

There is access for disabled people through a separate gate at the front of the building, and a ramp up to the front door.

Sheriffdom orders

Find out about the sheriffdom guidance, information and practice notes that apply to the courts in the Sheriffdom of Grampian, Highland and Islands.

Please also refer to the:

Sheriffdom orders