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Sheriff Appeal Court

About the court

The Sheriff Appeal Court (SAC) was established in 2015 as part of Lord Gill’s Scottish Civil Courts Reforms to deal with summary (less serious) criminal appeals. It normally sits in the courthouse at the Lawnmarket, Edinburgh.

The Court hears appeals against summary criminal proceedings from both the sheriff and the justice of the peace courts. An appeal against conviction is normally heard by three appeal sheriffs, while an appeal against sentence is normally heard by two appeal sheriffs.

The Court also hears appeals against bail decisions made by a sheriff or a justice of the peace. These hearings are normally presided over by one appeal sheriff.

Sheriff Principal Mhairi Stephen, QC, is the President of the Court and Sheriff Principal Craig Scott, QC, is the Vice President.

The Court also hears civil appeals.

image of Edinburgh High Court
Sheriff Appeal Court at Edinburgh High Court

Contact the court

Postal address for criminal matters

Clerk of the Sheriff Appeal Court
Justiciary Office
Parliament House
Parliament Square
Edinburgh
EH1 1RQ

Main contact

Deputy Clerk of the Appeal Court

DX

549306, Edinburgh 36

Email

Phone

0131 225 2595

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

  • Monday to Thursday from 09:00 to 17:00
  • Friday from 09:00 to 16:45

Office opening times

Please note that the Offices of Court are closed on Monday mornings from 09:00 to 10:30 for staff training.

  • Monday from 10:30 to 17:00
  • Tuesday to Thursday from 09:00 to 17:00
  • Friday from 09:00 to 16.45

Public holidays

2024

  • January 1,2
  • March 29
  • April 1,15
  • May 6,20
  • September 16
  • December 2,24*,25,26

*denotes half day.

Directions

Cycle parking racks can be found outside the High Court on the corner of St Giles Street and the Royal Mile and also at Chambers Court outside Edinburgh City Chambers, on CycleStreets cycle parking map.

Several bus routes pass near to the High Street including LRT buses 3, 7, 14, 23, 27, 30, 33, 35, 41, 42, 45 and 49.

The nearest train station is Waverley Station, approximately a ten minute walk. Visit ScotRail or National Rail Enquiries for train times.

There are no parking facilities at the Court. The surrounding streets are "yellow lined" or have only restricted parking. If you come by car, leave sufficient time to find an all-day parking place or use the car park finder.

There is a taxi rank nearby outside the Radisson Blu Hotel on the High Street.

The nearest airport is Edinburgh Airport (approximately 7 miles). There is a direct airport bus which arrives at Waverley Bridge. From there, the court building is a ten minute walk. For up to date bus timetables or visit journey planner.

On arrival

On arrival at court, please report to the reception area. You will be directed from there to where you need to go in the building. To enter the building you will be asked to pass through airport type screening and your bags or briefcases will be searched.

Accessibility

Accessible access

Wheelchair users can access the building through the main door. If you have any specific access arrangements please contact reception on 0131 240 6920.