This information has been designed to answer the most common questions you may have about conducting simple procedure cases on Civil Online. If, after reading the information carefully, you have not found the answer to your question, please contact the Sheriff Court dealing with your case.
General Questions
What is Civil Online?
Civil Online is an online service that can currently be used for simple procedure cases. It allows users to raise and respond to a claim and submit case documents online. It also enables the court to send documents to parties electronically instead of by post. Users can access up-to-date information about their case outside business hours and from a variety of electronic devices including mobile phones and tablets.
How do I access Civil Online?
Go to
https://www.scotcourts.gov.uk/ and click on the Civil Online button on the home page. If you are a professional or regular user of the service, you may wish to book-mark the relevant log-in screen.
Can anyone else see my case information online?
If you have appointed a legal or lay representative to act for you they will have access to your case information. If you are acting without a representative, only you will be able to access the information online. If you want anyone else to access your case details – a friend or adviser for example, you will need to personally login to your case and show them the information.
What should I do if the information on Civil Online is incorrect?
If you think the information displayed on Civil Online is incorrect you must contact the court which is dealing with the case quoting your case reference number.
I am a party litigant. How can I add/change the email address I have already provided to the court?
You must complete this user access form and submit it to the sheriff court that is dealing with your simple procedure case. Upon receipt, the court will update the case details. You can email the form to the court. Contact information can be found here.
How can I raise a new claim?
You can raise a new claim by accessing Civil Online from the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service (SCTS)
website. The ‘Taking Action’ pages on the SCTS website provide guidance on the Simple Procedure Rules. You can also contact your local sheriff court who can help you to understand court procedures. Please note that staff in the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service cannot give you legal advice.
I would like to raise a simple procedure claim, but I do not want to submit it electronically using the civil online portal. Can I raise my claim by completing the claim form and sending it to the sheriff clerk with the appropriate fee?
A simple procedure claim should be submitted electronically using the civil online portal (or for solicitors the online interface). Where the claim form cannot be submitted in either of these ways, the claimant must obtain the sheriff’s approval to register the claim where it is submitted in paper form. To obtain the approval of the sheriff, the claimant must ensure that their claim form is accompanied by a note which should include:-
- the names and addresses of the parties; and
- the reasons why the claim form cannot be submitted electronically.
The sheriff will consider the circumstances set out in the note which prevent electronic submission. Where approval is not given, the claimant, in order to proceed with their claim, must submit their claim using the civil online portal.
What is a Submission ID?
The Submission ID or "sid" is the identifying number allocated to your claim. It will look like this: sid123-17. You must take a note of the Submission ID when it appears on screen as you will need this to save and return to your claim before you submit it. You will also need the submission ID to track the progress of your case.
How do I pay the court fee?
The court fee must be paid at the point of online submission. Fees can be paid online by credit or debit card. If your claim is rejected by the court, any fee paid will be refunded automatically.
Professional users can use a SCTS credit account.
Am I exempt from court fees?
You may be entitled to exemption from paying court fees and further details can be found
here
If you are entitled to fee exemption, you will be able to upload your completed fee exemption certificate and supporting document during the submission process.
Can I save my claim form before it is submitted?
You can complete your claim form in stages over a period of 30 days. Any claim you have started will be available in the ‘Drafts’ folder.
How do I lodge supporting documents?
During the submission process you will have the opportunity to upload supporting documents. These must have been saved to a file or drive and be accessible from the device you are using to submit your claim. Supporting documents must be PDF documents, PNG images, JPGs or JPEG images. A maximum of 5 documents can be uploaded at any one time.
How can I recall my online claim?
When submitting a claim online you will be provided with a submission ID number. If the case has not been registered by the court you can recall the submission by contacting the court dealing with your case, quoting the submission ID number and requesting that the claim be rejected.
How can I retain a copy of my online claim form?
Towards the end of the online process, users will be able to view a PDF of the simple procedure claim form. Once registered by the court it will also be available in Civil Online. This can be saved and printed at any stage, for example to use for service on the respondent.
Who can I contact for assistance?
You should contact your local sheriff court if you require assistance completing the claim form. Contact information can be found here. However SCTS staff cannot give you legal advice. If you need legal advice, the Law Society of Scotland can provide contact details for solicitors in your area.
If you are unable to complete the online submission process due to technical issues, you should contact the local Court who will assess your request and if appropriate they will send the details of your issue to the technical support team.
How can I submit my response?
You can respond to a simple procedure claim by accessing Civil Online from the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service (SCTS) website. The ‘Taking Action’ pages on the SCTS website provide guidance on the Simple Procedure Rules. You can also contact your local sheriff court who can help you to understand court procedures. Please note that staff in the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service cannot give you legal advice.
Who can I contact for assistance?
You should contact your local sheriff court if you require assistance completing the response form. However SCTS staff cannot give you legal advice. Contact information can be found here. If you need legal advice, the Law Society of Scotland can provide contact details for solicitors in your area.
If you are unable to complete the online submission process due to technical issues, you should contact the local Court who will assess your request and if appropriate they will send the details of your issue to the technical support team.
Can I upload evidence?
You can upload documents and photographs within Civil Online. Evidence must have been saved to a file or drive and accessible from the device you are using. Supporting documents must be PDF documents, PNG images, JPGs or JPEG images. A maximum of 5 documents can be uploaded at any one time. When accepting your evidence, the court will automatically number each piece of evidence you have lodged.
How do I make an application to the court?
All applications can be submitted to court using Civil Online. With the exception of the fully online Application for a Decision, applications must be completed offline and uploaded using Civil Online. Only the latest version of applications downloaded from the SCTS website can be uploaded on Civil Online. Bespoke forms cannot be uploaded.
What do I need to do to receive electronic notifications?
As well as providing an email address, you must select “Online” as your preferred contact method in either the Simple Procedure Claim or Response Form. Professional users must also have registered for Civil Online.
I am a legal representative but haven’t yet registered for Civil Online?
To register you should complete this form and submit it to the Civil Online Help team at civilonlinelab@scotcourts.gov.uk
I am a legal representative/professional user, how will I receive electronic notifications?
When a new document is made available to you in Civil Online the case will be moved to the top of the “My Cases” page and a notification will appear next to the case reference number. By clicking on the case reference number you will be able to view the case details and document.
How can I clear the notification?
The notification can be cleared by selecting “Clear notification”.
How will I be notified if a claim is rejected?
If a claim is rejected an email will be sent to the email address provided when completing the claim. The rejected claim will appear at the bottom of the “My Cases” page in Civil Online. You will be able to identify rejected claims as they will have a Submission ID “sid” reference number and have a “rejected” status.
I am a legal representative. How can I add/update/change details about my firm’s admin user?
You should complete the Civil Online Admin User Modification Form and submit it to the Civil Online Help team at civilonlinelab@scotcourts.gov.uk
What browsers are supported?
The following browsers are fully supported:
| Microsoft Internet Explorer (10) | 11, Edge | Win 7,8,10 | Win 8 10 | n/a |
| Google Chrome (21) | 56,57,58 | Win 7,8,10 | Win 8,10 | Android IOS |
| Mozilla Firefox (9) | 51,52,53 | Win 7,8,10 | n/a | n/a |
| Apple Safari (6) | 9,10 | OSX 10.10 | IOS | IOS |