Aberdeen Sheriff Court and Justice of the Peace Court

There are three Court buildings dealing with different types of business in Aberdeen.

• Criminal business is based in the Aberdeen Sheriff and Justice of the Peace Court Building in Castle Street (this page)
• Civil Business is based in the Aberdeen Civil Justice Centre and Commercial Court Building in Queen Street
• High Court business and all jury trials take place in the Aberdeen Sheriff Court Annexe and High Court of Justiciary building (Mercatgate) on Castle Street.

Please visit the information page which relates to your visit or enquiry for further information.

The Aberdeen Sheriff Court and Justice of the Peace Court is located in this grade, "A" listed buildings built between 1868 and 1874. The building has seven courtrooms and accommodation for the Sheriff Principal, seven resident Sheriffs and one floating Sheriff, the Sheriff Clerk and her staff of 65, the Court Social Work department, Witness Services, and the Police cells. The courts deal with summary and solemn criminal business and is the administrative centre for the other Aberdeen Courts.

Contact details

Sheriff Clerk

Fiona Fleming

Address

Castle Street
Aberdeen
AB10 1WP

Criminal department contact

Jurors please contact: AberdeenJurors@scotcourts.gov.uk

For criminal enquiries please contact: aberdeencriminalteam@scotcourts.gov.uk

Admin department contact

01224 657200

DX

AB61

Fax

Civil Department - 01224 657234

Criminal Department - 01224 657241

Email

aberdeen@scotcourts.gov.uk

Accessibility contact

If you require the support of an interpreter when you contact a court (by phone or attend in person), a telephone interpretation service is available.  To access this service ask for telephone interpreting and the language required. This service is NOT available during actual court proceedings.

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 contactSCOTLAND website. www.contactscotland-bsl.org

Directions

We encourage the use of public transport as part of its commitment to sustainable development. Please use the travel planner for public transportation information.

By bus

Buses stop on Union Street, King Street, Castle Street and at Aberdeen bus station on Guild Street beside the train station. Timetable information is available from FirstGroup or Traveline on 0870 6082608.

By rail

Aberdeen train station is located on Guild Street and is approximately a 10 minute walk away. Timetable information is available from ScotRail or National Rail Enquiries.

By car

There is no public car park at the courthouse. Metered car parking, maximum stay 4 hours is available nearby. The nearest long-stay car park is the NCP at Shiprow, a 5 minutes walk. 

By taxi

The main taxi ranks are located at Hadden Street, Back Wynd, Dee Street and Chapel Street.

By air

Aberdeen Airport is in the Dyce area of Aberdeen and is approximately a 45 minutes drive in rush-hour traffic from the courthouse.

On arrival

On entering the building you will be required to have your personal bags/briefcases etc. searched and asked to walk through a metal detector. These checks are carried out to ensure the safety of all court users.

Please contact the reception desk staff who will be able to direct you to the appropriate courtroom or waiting room.

If you are a juror for either a sheriff court or high court case please report to the Mercatgate building located across from the sheriff court.

Arrangements may be available for educational group visits.

For further information e-mail aberdeen@scotcourts.gov.uk

Facilities

There are a variety of restaurants and cafes within a few minutes walk from the courthouse. Vending machines for cold drinks and snacks are available in the main hall for use by all visitors to court. There is also a refreshment service available to crown witnesses provided by volunteers from the Anthony Nolan Trust serving hot and cold drinks as well as snacks within the Sheriff Court.

Pay a Fine

If you want to pay your fine or would like information and advice please visit our Pay a Fine page. 

The Fines Office will be closed from 1pm for staff training on the last Tuesday of every month.

Opening times

Mercatgate 

Monday – Friday 9.00 am – 4.30 pm

The Civil Centre 

Monday – Friday 9.00 am – 4.30 pm

Main Sheriff and Justice of the Peace Court 

Monday – Friday 9.00 am – 4.30 pm 

Switchboard

Mon - Thu 09.00 - 13:00, 14:00 - 17:00,
Fri 09.00 - 13:00, 14:00 - 16:30 

Public Holidays

2023

January 2, 3
April 7, 10
May 1, 8
July 10
August 7
September 7
December 4, 25, 26

Complaints

Please refer to the complaints and feedback page.

Useful Links

• Procurator Fiscal
• Victim Support Scotland
• Office of the Public Guardian
• Scottish Children's Reporter
• Aberdeen City Council
• Police Scotland - Aberdeen City

There is a small step at the main door into the Sheriff Court building. If you are unable to negotiate the step please ring the bell. Staff will then arrange alternative access into the building. Courts and public offices are accessible by wheelchair users.

A hearing loop system is available in all court rooms for those with hearing difficulties. Please speak to court staff if you require assistance.

If you have any specific access requirements please speak to our reception staff or the court officer or call 01224 657200.